Volunteer Profiles

The Power of One

Haley Burch

Thanks to a government class requirement, Haley Burch has learned many lessons ...

... but not necessarily the lessons you might expect. Haley has learned the power of networking. She has learned that persistence pays off. She has learned not to take “no” for an answer. And she has learned that one person can make a difference.

Haley’s junior government class at Parkway North High School has a service requirement. Haley and her family had been volunteering at Room at the Inn since she began Hebrew School in the third grade. Haley called David Gerst, the night site coordinator at Shaare Emeth and asked if Room at the Inn had any particular needs that she could help address. He told her that there is always a need for night sites, so Haley made that her mission. She began calling people she knew at other congregations, trying to identify to whom to make her pitch. If she struck out with one person, she tried someone else. When she described Room at the Inn, she spoke with passion and enthusiasm.

Her efforts paid off: Central Reform Congregation will host as a night site for the first time in September. Haley downplays her role by saying, “I didn’t do much. I’m just a little spokesperson.” But for the clients who will be sheltered at CRC in September and every month in the future, Haley has made a difference.