Nate’s Jesuit Volunteer Corps Year

At 22 years old, Nate arrived in New Orleans from Washington State with a desire to serve and learn from the community around him. As a Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) volunteer at HTC, he spent the past year working directly with unhoused guests, supporting hygiene services, building relationships, and gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to accompany people through difficult circumstances with dignity and compassion.

When Nate first began at HTC, he was struck by the energy of the space including the bright colors, guests’ artwork, plants, and constant movement. “I remember being very overwhelmed at the thought of learning all of the guests’ names as the previous JV had done.” But Nate quickly became engrossed in the work, learning the systems from staff and volunteers who’d come before him.

A major part of Nate’s year was helping lead HTC’s shower and hygiene services alongside Nika, a 27-year-old from Hawaii spending a year in New Orleans with the Daughters of Charity. Both new to HTC at the same time, they developed a strong partnership built on communication, flexibility, and a shared passion for serving guests.

"We both found that we wanted to work quickly and set a pace that wouldn’t wane. At the start it was bringing passion and energy to the work but over time it was more about having a constant flow of communication to check in with each other and see what the other needed.” Nate says.

Through his work with guests, Nate learned that service is often found in the small, everyday moments. Some of his favorite memories came from conversations, jokes, music, and laughter shared while guests accessed services.

"I loved the running jokes with guests like Mark, Z, and Rick about what showers they wanted. They would come up to the table with a joke, and it became such a wonderful part of my day."

Music and joy were also constant sources of connection. Whether guests were sharing songs, singing, dancing, or talking about music playing in the Center, Nate saw how important those moments of comfort and expression were.

"When people dance or sing at the Center, it shows that they feel happy and comfortable. It shows me that there is a need and a craving for people to let loose and enjoy themselves. The music, relationships, visuals, and design of the Center all help create that sense of comfort."

Nate also found deep meaning in working alongside volunteers and staff who brought their own experiences, skills, and dedication to the mission. He especially valued volunteers who chose to be at HTC because they believed in the work.

"The volunteers who stood out to me were the ones who came because they wanted to be there because it truly fulfills something for them to be in service of others versus coming for required service hours. People like Bob who always has his ear to the ground listening for things that could be improved or done more effectively either on behalf of the guests or the team or the Center itself. People who care make the service stronger.”

Throughout the year, Nate also learned important lessons about the realities and challenges of service work. He reflected on the importance of maintaining boundaries while still showing up with compassion.

"There were times when I wished I could do more. Sometimes all I could offer was hygiene services and resource referrals, and it was difficult to accept that I couldn't solve every challenge someone was facing."

Living in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps community gave Nate another source of support throughout his year. Sharing a home with others who were also engaged in service work allowed him to process difficult moments, celebrate joyful ones, and stay connected to the larger mission of accompaniment. The JVC community and HTC community were active in inviting his house out to shows, festivals, parks, and that really filled his cup emotionally throughout the year.

Looking back, Nate says the guests, staff, and volunteers at HTC each shaped his understanding of service. Guests taught him the power of faith in the face of adversity. “I’ve learned a special type of faith and joy from our guests. They can be going through unimaginable realities and still find moments to share joy and keep a positive outlook and that is so telling of their character and resilience.” Nate credits staff and regular volunteers with modeling sustainable ways of taking care of guests and of themselves, including maintaining healthy boundaries so as to continue arriving compassionately to the work rather than getting burnt out, frustrated, or fatigued. 

"HTC is special because it’s not a rigid, objective-based type of workplace, its far more relational and far more about being present and able to provide guests’ services first and foremost. Obviously we have administrative work that accompanies that but it’s not a numbers-driven game. The work is relational, guest-focused, loving and intangible,” Nate says.

After completing his JVC year, Nate returned to Washington State while continuing to pursue opportunities in housing and community outreach. He has had interviews in New Orleans and the Pacific Northwest and looks forward to continuing his passion of working alongside communities experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

"I’m incredibly grateful for HTC, the community, and the work being done here. This experience helped me understand that this is the work I want to do. I’m grateful that a place like HTC exists and that I had the opportunity to be part of it."

Nate’s 5 words to describe the HTC:

Loving, Busy, Relational, Mutual, Community