As told by volunteer Michael Wadja

After an injury kept me out of the gym, I started to swim laps at the city pool in Rockville for exercise. I started to notice the same group of people having a blast in the pool. I realized I was seeing people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. I saw the bond and the companionship. I thought, this looks like magic to me. I want to get involved.

I went home to my family. I looked at my son Vincent. He’s in Sunday school learning about our Catholic faith. I had an aha moment. We were going to volunteer together, and see first-hand what real service looks like. Together, we were going to add a layer of meaning to what he was learning at church. 

A quick online search for volunteer opportunities led me to Jubilee. Our first gig was manning the cocoa bar at the Christmas party. It was real work. It was also a lot of fun. Holidays can be stressful, but this was not that. This was gentle and tender. The following week, we came right back to help out at the Chanukah party.

After that, Vincent and I just started helping out whenever we could. We’ve joined game nights and the summer cookout. Every time we’re with Jubilee, it’s the same great vibe.

Volunteering with Jubilee is rewarding in a non-material way. I’m able to be with my son and take time to purely focus on other people. My message to anyone thinking about volunteering is: We all should do more of this. Partly because it’s rare, partly because it’s something we’re meant to do as humans to take care of each other. We’re making each other feel good.