Volunteer Spotlight On: Willow Mashkuri
Volunteer: Willow Mashkuri
Town: Middlesex
When did you start volunteering with CVRAN? January 2024
What is the most recent volunteer role that you have filled? Childcare and general help for a family from South America
What made you want to volunteer for CVRAN? CVRAN was mentioned to me by one of my teachers asking if I would be interested in helping a specific family. It was the best choice I have ever made. This organization is made so individuals and families are set up for successful lives in a new environment. I’m super thankful I get to be a small part of it.
Tell us about a time that was especially meaningful for you in your work with CVRAN. A time that was meaningful was watching the family I volunteer with start to embrace the community around them. After a couple pushes to get outside and go on a walk, we went on a walk. I learned about the mother more and felt honored she felt comfortable enough to talk to me about how she feels. We laughed and took in the (at the time) grey complexion of the trees. I told her in the spring it will be full of color and warmth and she told me she looks forward to that.
If you could encourage someone else to volunteer with CVRAN, what would you say? I would say to anyone considering volunteering with CVRAN to just say yes. Once you start, you’ll never want to stop.
What is a hobby you enjoy when not engaging in volunteer work? I enjoy going outside, playing soccer, playing piano and guitar, and being with my friends and family.
The dad in the family she works with says: I recommend her very much. She’s marvelous with the kids.
In mid-August Willow leaves Vermont to begin her first year at Beloit College. She plans on majoring in International Relations and hopes to work with refugees in the future! She wants to stay connected with her CVRAN family by visiting when she is home on school breaks.
Liza Earle-Centers, our departing Volunteer Coordinator interviewed Willow earlier this summer.
CVRAN’s Volunteer Spotlight helps us get to know one another despite being from different towns and helping CVRAN in different ways. If you would like to volunteer for CVRAN, or you used to but haven’t for awhile, please reach out to AnnaRose Jenisch, our new Coordinator (cvran.volunteers@gmail.com) and she’ll be happy to help connect you to a just-right role for YOU.