The Mission in My Words: Emily Staples

What initially inspired you to get involved with Denver Rescue Mission?

When I moved here from Chicago, I wanted to get connected to my community. That’s when I found the Mission and the youth room. I enjoy working with the little kids, but I connect a lot more with the teens. I feel like especially in places like this, they’re rarely surrounded by people closer to their age and seeing them succeed. How awesome is it to be a role model to them, but also be their friend

How have you seen the youth benefit from coming to the Youth Center?

I’ve seen my fair share of families who have come, and they’ve made progress. You see families like Yasmin’s—I’ve really bonded with her because there are things that maybe she doesn’t want to confide in with the staff because she sees them almost every day, but she’ll confide in a volunteer who she maybe only sees once a week. I really wish when I was younger that I had someone close to my age telling me it is going to be okay. I try to tell her, “Go through it, learn from it and know that you’re going to be on the other side of it so much better for it.”

How have you been personally impacted by volunteering at the Mission?

I live downtown and I see homelessness every day. I think it re-grounded me to the fact that we really have no idea what anyone is going through. There’s no reason to judge. I think it’s important to know that people fall on tough times from all walks of life. It’s important to be grateful for what we have, but also if we’re able, to always give back.