Volunteer News and Spotlight
Hello good people!
We’re already three months into 2025, and volunteerism is picking up speed! This small but mighty team is excited, energized and ready to offer even more transformative volunteer opportunities, and we’re so grateful to have you along with us on this journey.
March is National Women’s History month and we at GLIDE are so grateful for all the powerful and resilient women and female-identifying staff who have made incredible contributions to our organization. We also want to celebrate and hold space for our unsung heroines, like Pauli Murray, lawyer, poet, activist, LGBTQ+ and one of the earls Civil Rights fighters whose contributions paved the way to many freedoms that we enjoy today.
Stay Involved
Upcoming Events
What: Performance by Rhonda Benin
When: March 23rd
Where: GLIDE Sanctuary
Time: 9am and 11am
A GREAT way to close out Women's History Month is by meeting Rhonda Benin, San Francisco Bay Area vocalist who is not only known for her killer vocals, but also for her magnetic and engaging personality, humor and truth telling!
What: GLIDE Film Screening - Fault Lines
When: March 20th
Where - GLIDE Sanctuary
Time: 6pm (Screening); 7.30pm (Panel discussion)
Fault lines is a film that takes a street-level approach to shine a light on the housing crisis, connecting human stories with big policy ideas driving this issue.
Join film director Nate Houghteling, GLIDE CEO Dr. Gina Fromer and State Senator Scot Weiner as they discuss creating the film and the matters at hand.April: National Volunteer Week
April 20th – 26th is National Volunteer Week!! We are celebrating YOU our volunteers and the impact you're driving in building relationships and strengthening communities. We will have trivia throughout the week, and also, we will be giving away goodies!
We have PLENTY of open shifts in our Meals and also our Community Ambassador Programs and also fun games and prizes throughout the week!
Volunteer Spotlight - Mizuki Nagae
GLIDE welcomes volunteers from all over the Bay Area, and from around the world. We are grateful for the school groups, individuals, and corporate groups who volunteer with our programs. Among our valued volunteers, are Japanese university students, who come every Spring and Summer, thanks to the efforts of Mizuki Nagae, who works closely with universities in Japan to coordinate these enriching experiences at GLIDE.
Mizuki first volunteered at GLIDE in 2017 and was deeply moved by our work, values, and real-world experience our volunteers receive. “I believe learning should go beyond the classroom,” she shares, “and I felt GLIDE could provide my students with real-life experience where they could see issues up close and reflect on them.”
Many of her students arrive with little to no volunteer experience or knowledge of our community, but by the time they leave, they have built deep connections, gained confidence, and developed a heartfelt appreciation for the power of service.
Her students serve meals, help in our prep kitchen and interact with our clients. For Mizuki, hearing from her students about their experience and growth from volunteering brings her joy and it shows that her goal of bringing a transformative experience that goes beyond the classroom is working. One memorable moment she has is when a student told her a Meals client said ‘Thank you” in Japanese.
When Mizuki is not coordinating students or visiting her family in Japan, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up something delicious, “I like to invite friends over because I love cooking. I enjoy trying new recipes and YouTube is my best teacher!”
For her students, it’s more than a cultural experience, it’s about learning how to build relationships and develop a deep appreciation for the community’s needs.
Mizuki will continue providing this important connection to her students for as long as she can. GLIDE will continue to be the conduit to help her provide a transformative experience for them.
Thank You Mizuki for Your Dedication!
Do you have a story idea or want to share your experiences? Email me at kimbukwa@glide.org with “Volunteer Newsletter Story” in the subject line. I can’t wait to hear from you!
With gratitude and excitement,
From the Volunteer Team