Since our founding in 1971, volunteers have been central to carrying out our mission, and that hasn’t changed. This week is Volunteer Appreciation Week, and here at Raphael House, we have so many excellent community members we’re excited to spotlight. Over the past year, so many friends of the shelter have gone above and beyond the volunteer roles they signed up for, and we are grateful for the contributions they’ve made to our families’ lives.
Katie Kokenge & Michele Lee | Beyond the Board
Our Board of Directors, composed of 12 passionate volunteers who work together in advocating for Raphael House in the greater community, makes vital connections and decisions on behalf of our shelter. Each board member brings something unique and invaluable to the table.Their collective commitment helps keep our programs strong and our mission moving forward.
This Volunteer Week, we’re spotlighting two members who have recently gone above and beyond: Michele Lee and Katie Kokenge, who have recently gone the extra mile for Raphael House:
Whenever Michele talks about Raphael House, whether to our staff or potential donors, her passion shines through. She has been instrumental in creating connections to larger community partners, surpassing the expectations of her role. Michele recently volunteered to advocate for Raphael House to the Homelessness Oversight Commission for a grant from the City of San Francisco–on her birthday, too! That kind of dedication is the heartbeat of what makes Raphael House special.
During our recent executive leadership transition, Katie has stepped up to support the Raphael House fundraising team. In addition to providing staff with guidance and insight, she supported the administration of our Adopt-a-Family campaign, organized her preschool to write Valentine’s for our families, and built valuable connections throughout our community. Katie consistently brings compassion and enthusiasm to her support of our families. When asked about her relationship to Raphael House, Katie said, “What continually draws me to Raphael House is not just its incredible mission, but the extraordinary people behind it. The staff’s deep compassion, tireless dedication, and unwavering support of every family is truly inspiring. Their work transforms lives every day, and I feel so fortunate to support and volunteer at an organization led by such remarkable individuals.” Thanks, Katie!
We’re endlessly grateful to our entire board for their leadership, care, and belief in this work. This spotlight offers just a small glimpse into the many acts of service and support happening behind the scenes and serves as a reminder of how lucky we are to have such an incredible group guiding us.
Rosana Hernandez & Lisa Jones | From Gift-Wrapping to Roof-Fixing
Sometimes, what starts as a simple act of service unfolds into something much more powerful. This is one of those full-circle stories that reminds us why community matters.
Rosana Hernandez discovered Raphael House when searching for a cause that aligned with her organization’s foundation, the CAPTRUST Community Foundation, which aims to enrich the lives of children in their communities. Rosana organized five volunteers to come in and wrap birthday gifts for our families, stating, “It is a privilege to be able to empower organizations like the Raphael House to accomplish the valuable work they do within our communities.”
Among the volunteers Rosana guided to our doors was Lisa Jones, from PepsiCo. While touring the shelter, Lisa took note of our leaking roof and connected us withNick, a contractor. Lisa said, “It really tugged at my heart to spend the mid-afternoon with you all and hear about all the great things you provide and do for families. When I saw the leaks from the roof…I just had to reach out to my friend Nick. He is a good man and I knew if he could, he would help in some way.” And he did. Nick Bailey of Bailey’s Roofing Company repaired our solarium skylight, offering a great rate that made the much-needed fix possible. His work stopped the skylight leaks and helped protect the space from further water damage. This repair was a meaningful and timely contribution to our ongoing building needs.
This is just one example of how the Raphael House community shows up with connections, support, and resources. A big shoutout to Rosana and Lisa for all their help. Their story is a powerful reminder that a single act of volunteering can spark a lasting impact and bring people together in meaningful ways.
Sangeeta Landau & Alli Decker | Cathedral School’s Read for Need Organizers
Our Read-for-Need program is one of our favorite community engagement programs. Students are encouraged to read as many pages as they can, while generating sponsorships from their friends and family. It is a wonderful way for these young learners to practice their literacy skills, for parents and teachers to facilitate conversations around homelessness, and the broader community to support these amazing efforts and Raphael House families!
Insprired by the Raphael House Read-for-Need partnership with Town School for Boys, which we honored at last year’s Black & White Gala,Sangeeta Landau wanted to find a way to help Raphael House families, andturned to the classroom. She recruited her fellow parents at Cathedral School for Boys to organize a Read for Need with the school librarian, Alli Decker. Together, Alli and Sangeeta ran a read-a-thon. Students at Cathedral recruited sponsors to pledge per-page or flat donations for their reading progress—and over the course of two weeks, they raised over $5,000 for Raphael House! Go Cathedral School Readers!
Thank you so much to Sangeeta and Alli! Each donation to the Read-for-Need directed supported families with shelter, direct aid, and case management services. We’re so grateful to work with such dedicated volunteers, and foster a community inclusive of all ages.
Britt Wenzler Ogelsby & Cheryl Sanclemente Zierten | 2025 Gala Co-Chairs
Our annual Black & White Gala is not only our biggest fundraiser of the year, but it also celebrates community, impact, and the families at the heart of our mission. With a beautiful dinner, a lively auction, and dancing to close out the night, this event brings our supporters together for an unforgettable evening with a powerful purpose.
An event this special doesn’t happen overnight; behind the scenes, it takes months of planning, coordination, and creativity to bring it to life. This Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re thrilled to spotlight our extraordinary Gala Co-Chairs, Britt Wenzler Ogelsby and Cheryl Sanclemente Zierten, for helping us make this special night happen.
Britt, a longtime supporter of Raphael House, has been a steady and generous presence behind the scenes. Her deep commitment to our mission, paired with her thoughtful leadership, has helped shape this year’s Gala in countless ways.
Cheryl, a valued member of our Executive Leadership Council, has brought energy, clarity, and care to every part of the planning process. From high-level strategy to hands-on coordination, Cheryl has shown up with the kind of follow-through and warmth that brings people together and keeps everything moving forward.
Both Britt and Cheryl have volunteered countless hours in addition to their already full lives to help make this event a success. Their willingness to take initiative, uplift others, and lead with generosity has made a lasting impact. We are incredibly grateful to have them in our corner.
Thanks to their efforts and the generosity of our community, last year’s Gala raised over $1 million to support families on their path to stability and independence. This year, we hope to match that incredible impact. Support the event by making a donation here.
We can’t wait to celebrate this impactful evening and the people who made it possible.
How you can help:
We are reminded by these stories that the impact of volunteers is felt all year long. While this week gives us a special opportunity to highlight the incredible people behind the scenes, our work depends on the generosity, time, and care of volunteers every day.
To everyone who has given their time, energy, and heart to Raphael House this year, thank you. You are at the core of what makes this community so special.
If you’re feeling inspired, here are a few ways you can support Raphael House and get involved in our community:
- Organize a Read for Need program at your school`!
- Join us as a volunteer group!
- Donate gift cards to support our families’ needs!
- Support our Gala, happening on May 10th!
Please contact development@raphaelhouse.org for more information.
Thank you to our volunteers!
Back to Blog