Min

"From Corporate World to Community Service: Rita and Min's Orange Sky Journey"‍

At the bustling Tramby hub in Perth, Rita and Min exemplify the spirit of Orange Sky's mission. Their stories of volunteering highlight the profound impact of human connection and the transformative power of community service.

Rita, a team leader and service coordinator, has been with Orange Sky for about seven years. Her dedication to serving those experiencing homelessness shines through in every interaction. "I think it's fantastic to give something back to people who are less fortunate than we are," Rita explains. Her motivation stems from a deep empathy for those facing hardship, especially during harsh winter months.

For Rita, the relationships formed with the "friends" who use Orange Sky's services are at the heart of her volunteering experience. "These people really mean something to us," she shares. The term "friends" takes on a special significance in this context, representing a connection that goes beyond the typical service provider-client relationship.

Rita's experiences at Trambi have been a mix of joy and heartbreak. She recounts success stories of friends finding employment and housing, but also touches on the tragic reality of lives lost to suicide among the homeless community. These experiences underscore the critical importance of the support and connections provided by Orange Sky.

Min, a newer volunteer, brings a fresh perspective to the team. Coming from the corporate world, Min was drawn to Orange Sky by a desire to make a more direct impact on people's lives. "I looked up various organisations, looked at Orange Sky's website. I thought it was very informative, really like the mission, the founders. That just seemed really progressive," Min explains.

For Min, volunteering with Orange Sky has been an eye-opening and humbling experience. "It's very humbling, you know, and putting my own, I guess, ego aside and just realizing this can happen to anyone as well," she reflects. This realisation speaks to the power of Orange Sky in breaking down barriers and fostering understanding between different segments of society.

Both Rita and Min emphasise the importance of open-mindedness and non-judgmental attitudes in volunteering with Orange Sky. They see their role as not just providing practical services like laundry, but also offering dignity, respect, and genuine human connection to those who often feel invisible in society.

The impact of Orange Sky extends beyond the friends it serves. For volunteers like Rita and Min, it provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends their professional lives. Min's experience highlights how volunteering can offer a meaningful counterbalance to corporate work, providing a direct way to help people and contribute to the community.

Rita and Min's stories at Trambi showcase the multifaceted nature of Orange Sky's impact. From providing essential services to fostering deep human connections, from offering volunteers a chance for personal growth to creating a more compassionate community, Orange Sky's work touches lives in profound and lasting ways.

As Rita and Min continue their journey with Orange Sky, their experiences serve as a powerful reminder of the difference that genuine care and connection can make in people's lives. Their stories inspire others to consider how they too might contribute to building a more inclusive and supportive community for all.