Marianist Volunteer Program
VOLUNTEER VIEWPOINT: An Interview with Liz Cooke

Marianist Volunteer Liz Cooke, seated second front left, with her friends from the Pillar of Faith Community in Houston. Shown above seated, Ellen Burns, Bro. Jim Barrette and Beth Bone. Standing, Mary Ellen Rouen, Mike Gillespie, Mike Rouen and Bro. Fred Stovall

Why did you become an MVP volunteer? I’ve been connected with the Marianists at Cape May for 35 years, volunteering for 20 of them. Originally I was going to join the Peace Corps but was introduced to the MVP program through the Beacon, Cape May’s newsletter.

Where are you working? Initially I was assigned to a crisis pregnancy center in Louisiana. Two weeks later Hurricane Katrina hit. We were evacuated to Hammond, La. I’m a nurse, so I immediately went to work at the hospital there. Our team eventually landed in Houston helping Catholic Charities assist evacuees. When Hurricane Rita came, we were evacuated again. I went back to Houston to work as a disaster recovery coordinator and am now a supervisor.

Describe your volunteer experience. It isn’t anything like I expected it to be but everything I wanted it to be. I love what I am doing—helping crisis victims find food and shelter— and am very passionate about my work. Some days are hard, but it is very fulfilling. I really believe I am where the good Lord intended me to be.

Any advice for others considering the program? Pray about it. If you decide to start, go with the flow. Be honest about what you want, and it will all fall into place.