by Jessica Carreras
Jon Fitzgerald
Jon Fitzgerald is a 43-year-old Royal Oak resident – and about the most dedicated volunteer LGBT community center Affirmations in Ferndale could ask for. There, the volunteer-turned-part-time-worker spends 20 hours a week working at the center for pay, and countless of others helping out for free. Fitzgerald hopes to inspire others in the LGBT community – and beyond – to do the same.
1) How did you first get involved as a volunteer in the LGBT community?
After being "downsized" at the end of last year at my job, I realized I finally had time to pursue something I always wanted to do: volunteer. I picked Affirmations because after doing some research online, their mission statement was something I could believe in and stand behind.
2) What do you do for Affirmations now as a paid program assistant?
There are so many different programs happening at Affirmations on a regular basis that I get an opportunity to work on a variety of projects. For example, I recently was able to assist with the August Pittmann-Puckett Art Gallery opening. It also gives me an opportunity to coordinate an event from inception such as the Fall Family Photo Shoot and Identity Dialogue Sessions for next month's Coming Out Week events.
3) I understand that in addition to your paid work, you also volunteer for the center. Which programs are you involved in as a volunteer?
Currently, I perform a weekly shift at the front desk. I am also on two committees. The first is the Volunteer Development Committee that meets monthly and works consistently on enhancing the volunteer program with a focus on defining leadership volunteers. The second committee is the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I was honored to be asked to join in and facilitate a training program that encourages everyone one of us to openly and candidly discuss our differences along with the things that make us the same.
4) Why is volunteering important to you?
For me, it is about giving back and being involved in a community that I love. I know it sounds like a cliche, but there is no other clever way of saying it. It turns out that doing volunteer work is the first time in my life that I feel I am doing what I should be doing. The longer I do it, the more I want to do it. On a daily basis, it reaffirms that I am an active participant in the LGBT community as well as in life and not just someone watching from a distance.
5) What would be your advice to someone who wants to get involved as a volunteer – but doesn't know how to get started?
Pick something you feel strongly about. Go online, ask your friends, do whatever you need to so that you can identify local organizations that share your passion and then make the telephone call. Before you know it, you will be asking yourself why you waited so long to get involved.
Be like Jon. To learn how to volunteer at Affirmations, visit their Web site at http://www.goaffirmations.org.
