Answering Every Need with a ‘Yes’: Meet Volunteer Jayne Murray

Whether teaching a resident mom how to bake brownies, creating a family library on campus, sorting donations, or encouraging children in the former Gerard Place daycare, volunteer Jayne Murray has been an integral part of the Gerard Place mission since 2014. 

“It’s a patchwork quilt of things I’ve done,” Murray, a former social worker and grief counselor at Hospice. 

 A thoughtful, kind, and generous volunteer, Murray takes a special interest in clients and their specific needs.   She was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2019 and is a member of the Advisory Council.

She takes pride in meeting individual needs of clients and their families. Several years ago, Murray met a young boy who was the only child living at Gerard Place who could not attend summer camp. So she created a week-long dinosaur camp on campus just for him, complete with crafts and snacks. 

When sourcing items for the Gerard Place library, she searches for books with diverse characters so kids can see themselves in the stories.  She captures their interests and offers popular selections like graphic novels.  Since it’s not a lending library, families are able to keep and cherish the books they choose.  

“We must ask our residents ‘What do you need?’ and then look for opportunities to work with them,” she said.  “The staff has a sense of possibility and is very client centered. There is always a sense of yes.”   

Murray says growing up in poverty gives her a unique perspective about Gerard Place’s work.   

“It is a humbling experience that reminds me of my own struggles growing up,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to help others and I’m happy to pay it forward. “ 

Established in 2000 by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Gerard Place originally provided housing for mothers and children.  The agency has expanded and now offers a food pantry, GED classes, job training, and senior programs to meet the changing needs in the neighborhood.

Murray says she is impressed with the positive atmosphere, how the staff makes it all work, and that the clients are treated with respect.  

“They are teaching people how to fish, but feeding them as they do,” Murray said. “Staff and volunteers identify clients’ strengths and determine how to help them.”   

In addition to her time on site, Murray and her husband are generous donors, choosing to make automatic monthly payments through credit card deduction.  

“It’s an easy way to support Gerard Place, and you don’t even have to think about it,” she said. 

Murray is a tireless ambassador for Gerard Place, spreading joy to clients and encouraging friends and family to get involved. 

“I’m thrilled to witness the hard work and miracles that happen at Gerard Place,” Murray said.