VFCCH IDignity (Behind the Scenes)

Last Week (Week of 7/28),

I was able to sit in with a group of volunteers who work behind the scenes to help get birth certificates for IDignity Clients.  They taught me how the Out of State Birth Certificate process works, and showed me some of the work that goes on in between IDignity events. It was really humbling to see the amount of work these individuals do along with their normal full time jobs.

After working with the volunteers to help file for client birth certificates, I was able to call past clients and set up a time for them to pick up their birth certificates at the Neighborhood Center.  Several clients were unable to be contacted directly, but were persistent and called our office as soon as they heard about the event in Daytona Beach.

The most touching moment of my summer so far, was when a elderly man from a past event called regarding the identification he filed for.  When he heard that his information was on file, and he could receive it at the next event, he was ecstatic.

 The man's voice began to crack and he said, " It's going to feel so good... I can't believe I am a person again...I exist. Thank you so much, God bless you all..It has been so long..."

I didn't know how to respond.  All I could get out was, " Thank you sir, we look forward to seeing you at the event."

As soon as the call ended, I looked at Barb, giving her a summary of what happened. Then I said, " He was making me tear up. Usually I get someone frustrated about how it's taking us too long and I have to keep from getting frustrated. Now I have someone making me tear up, how am I supposed to react to this?"

She just smiled and said " You just let it happen and stay calm.  You can be happy, but try to finish up before you get too emotional."

I am pretty sure that this was one of those moments, that makes it all worth it.  All the stress of the service we do, the bad days, the hard classes. All that "rough time" for one moment like this.  It's worth it.