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5 months volunteering, plus prior service
The reason I chose to work in the domestic violence movement is because, as a
survivor of domestic violence, it's very important to me to give back
what was given to me by Gateway. I believe I wouldn't even be here today if it weren't for Gateway.
The reason I want to help women and children who are victims of
domestic violence is because DV can be a silent killer -- it was for
me. It's very important to me to create more awareness, so that
all women and children know there is a place where they can turn to for help.
As a Gateway client, my favorite memory was my first session
at Gateway
- the feeling of total acceptance and help. Now as a volunteer,
my favorite memories have been the moments when I've been speaking with
the women at the transition house - loved every minute of it!
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My best memory at Gateway was during the preparations for Christmas.
The Shelter would put together big boxes of food and then give them to
the women who were receiving assistance. One year, I gathered about 10
of my friends and we spent a Saturday putting together about 100 boxes.
It was very labor intensive and by about 3:00 pm we were getting a bit
weary when suddenly the doorbell rang. A woman stood there with her two
children. The counselor had arranged for her to stop by and receive a
box of food and gifts for her children. We were well rewarded for our
labor when the woman became very teary after receiving the food and
gifts. She was so thankful and told us, "I didn't think we would have a
Christmas this year. Now we will have a good one. Thank you."
-Laura Roiger
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Volunteer Voices 
