On Feb. 5, the Good Neighbor Settlement House in Brownsville hosted a dinner and ceremony to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of volunteer efforts from the First United Methodist Church of Casper, Wyoming.
The Good Neighbor Settlement House, established in 1953, is a nonprofit agency that provides clothing, meals and basic support services such as a medical clinic, Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and income tax return preparation to those in need.
Located at 1254 E. Tyler St., the organization’s volunteers range from a few to several on a daily basis.
The volunteers were presented a plaque from the organization to thank them for traveling to Brownsville for the last 10 years and assisting the staff of the settlement house.
“These individuals from Casper, Wyoming, have served the Good Neighbor Settlement House for 10 years with winning spirits,” Board President Abraham Barrientes said. “They have traveled over 22 hours to dedicate their time and energy to our agency. They have contributed to our facility by bringing in donations and, most recently, fixing our garden area, so we can begin to grow herbs and vegetables.”
Merritt Benson, one of the volunteers from Wyoming, said he appreciated the effort the organization made to acknowledge the group.
“It’s a terrific honor and is very treasured without a doubt,” Benson said. “We don’t seek recognition, but when it’s offered, it’s appreciated. It’s very kind of them to thank us like that.”
He also said the church members enjoy coming to the Rio Grande Valley, despite the sacrifices they have to make.
“It is a commitment because it’s not only a long way, it’s relatively expensive to do this,” Benson said. “The point of that is not to say how much it costs; the point is to say there is a commitment to come here. It’s not like we can say, ‘Hey, I have nothing to do. I’m going to head down there for an hour.’”
He also wants the Brownsville community to recognize the work that the settlement house performs and encourages them to volunteer, too.
“There is a really terrific group of very dedicated hard-working people here who are trying to make a difference for people who are less fortunate and they need more help from the people who live here, including students,” Benson said.
The Good Neighbor Settlement House is constantly seeking new volunteers, said Interim Executive Director Jack White.
“We operate this place with four paid staff [members],” White said. “We have four executive volunteers who are, essentially, full time and the rest of them are volunteers. Most of them are court-mandated. Many of our volunteers are a hair’s breadth away from being clients as well.”
Jimena Rivera and Jessika Vazquez are interns who attend UTRGV.
Rivera, a social work senior, said interning with the organization helped her realize the importance of simply communicating with those in need.
“I used to think that [when] I’d come and volunteer here, I would serve in the kitchen, help with the gardening, but I think what really helped the clients most would be people who are willing to take time to see [them], who come here and hear them out, because a need that is being neglected is the communication,” she said. “We see them on the street and we don’t connect that until they’re here.”
Vazquez, a social work graduate student, said she appreciates the experience that volunteering with the organization has given her.
“Every day is something new,” she said. “It’s amazing to be a volunteer here. I haven’t volunteered long, but it feels, like, they’re my family. I already know both the staff, the volunteers and the people we serve.”
The staff and volunteers of the Good Neighbor Settlement House aim to help the disadvantaged population of Brownsville and is seeking additional help to do so.
“Everybody here in Brownsville knows about ‘The Good Neighbor,’ but they think we are sponsored by the City of Brownsville or someone else and that’s not true. We rely on individuals to donate time, money or anything they can,” Barrientes said.
