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On the left is Ryan Danaher from the Seattle, Washington,
area. He is a 2009 graduate of Western Washington University. In the center is
Catherine Drennan, our second volunteer from St. Anselm College
in New Hampshire. Cat hales from Massachusetts. And on the right
is Nick Roland, a 2003 graduate of Canisius College in his home
town of Buffalo, New York. Nick worked for several years in
the business world before becoming involved in volunteer ministry.
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Ryan is justly proud of the new laminate floor he has just
put down for a homeowner.
During his time at OHH Ryan became an effective leader of
groups of short-term volunteers. After his year of service
with the Christian Brothers, Ryan did a short term mission
trip to Honduras where he worked with a Maryknoll program.
He is now living full time in Seattle working for a child
care ministry which provides therapeutic child care for ages
1 month up through 5 years old who are victims of neglect
and abuse. He works full time with 2 and 3 yr olds. Being
one of only two males in his work place, the children aren't
always sure how to react, given that they come from one parent
female families. Ryan says, “It’s a joy and everyday
awaits new lessons on patience and encouragement. We provide
structure for children who may not have the healthy structure
they need in their life.”
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Catherine—in the white jacket on the porch—spent
seven months working on a very special house. This is the
only new house OHH worked on and it is environmentally friendly
and flood and hurricane proof. The exceptionally large groups
of short term volunteers tested all of her building and organizational
skills.
But it was not all work. Cat was in New Orleans to celebrate
the Saints Super Bowl victory with other OHH Long-Term Volunteers.
After her service in New Orleans, Cat worked for a year, traveling
around the country recruiting on college campuses for Catholic
Volunteer Network. She is presently working at Harvard and
will soon be taking courses at Northeastern University toward
her Masters of Public Administration.
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Early during his time of service at OHH, Nick’s business
experience was put to use by the program when the bookkeeper
was diagnosed with cancer. Nick spent two years as the OHH
bookkeeper and all-around handy man.
Nick and the other volunteers often invited co-workers to
our community to share a meal, conversation, and sometimes
even help decorate our Christmas tree. After his two years
in New Orleans, Nick moved to northern Indiana where he is
working and living in a rural setting dedicated to providing
a safe and loving community to developmentally challenged
(other abled) adults. Nick recently wrote, “Omigosh!
It is simply amazing and what a blessing it is to be here.”
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