Volunteerism Can Lead To Employment
Catherine Ananoria was looking for a sense of community after she moved to San Diego with her husband from the Philippines. She felt the best way to acclimate to her environment was to volunteer.
She found a volunteer position with the Oceanside Corps. Even though Catherine is highly educated with a law degree, she chose to start with something small, wanting to stay close to home and engage in her new community.
Catherine started by assisting with administrative tasks and took her position very seriously. She approached it as a paid position. After a series of staff moves left the Corps with a skeleton crew and new leaders, she found herself volunteering 30 hours a week in a senior position. Her dedication and diligence in her volunteer position led to an offer of employment.
“It might have been volunteer work, but it was still a job, and the work is important,” Catherine says, “If you take your volunteer position professionally, just like a real job, then one day, you might get hired.”
Catherine has received other offers for full time employment, but decided to stay with The Salvation Army because she has found support, acceptance and meaningful work in her new community.