Monique Monroe: Disaster Volunteer
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, the affected community snaps to. Those fortunate enough to give do so, and that help comes from a range of donations, both money and donated items, such as clothing for all ages to children giving toys for kids who just lost their Christmas presents.
Monique Monroe, Area Coordinator for the Adventist Community Services in Dallas and Collin counties, a disaster response group of volunteers, said the community gives because they really want to be part of something.
“When a kid comes in and brings their favorite toy, and it’s because other kids lost their Christmas gifts, that child understands this is really a sacrifice,” Monroe said. “They’re giving from their heart.”
Monroe remembers a young girl who, instead of birthday gifts, asked people to donate to relief efforts. She said it’s for those moments that she loves volunteering, and specifically disaster response. Led by her faith and the inspiration from everyday sacrifices of those who give, Monroe’s volunteer work is a crucial part of her identity and has been her whole life.
Monroe lead the charge for collecting and distributing donations after a tornado recently ripped through Garland and Rowlett, and it was natural for her to command this role within her community. It started with a group at her church filling the needs of its congregation, and morphed into a cafeteria-sized drop-off and donation center in a separate building.
She did such an outstanding job that the City of Garland officially asked her and her group to “stand up” and be the official response the community needed.
“It’s our job, and it’s an honor to show up,” Monroe said. “We call ourselves first responders because people start to give immediately.”
Monroe also responded to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, and the tornadoes that hit Lancaster, Texas, among others. Her usual operations are based in a warehouse, where donations are organized and managed with less urgency when not serving the community directly. The Adventist Community Services volunteers work with other members of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters group to keep supplies on hand.
Taking on the recent response was a new challenge in donation distribution management, she said. While the vast majority of donations management and her disaster response work are handled by volunteers, Monroe said she had anywhere between 20 and 50 volunteers every day working under her at the distribution site in Garland. When someone in need walked through the distribution center doors, a volunteer would greet them and guide them through the supplies to get what they need.
Monroe said many of her volunteers have been affected by disasters and is part of what motivates them to give back. It also makes them uniquely aware of some of the challenges and needs of those they are serving.
“I train my volunteers to listen with their hearts and ask questions, to ascertain where someone is physically and mentally,” Monroe said. “When you’ve lost everything, you either want nothing or don’t know what you need. We’re giving them the resources to regain confidence.”
Within a month after a disaster strikes, most people are back at work and recovery efforts switch to long-term, Monroe said. As her role as a “first responder” disaster volunteer winds down, and she hands the reigns back to the city, she said she is proud of her ability to help those who need it, save the city money, and allow others to give back and feel part of something larger.
“What drives me is my faith. Jesus said to do what he did, and it’s important to treat people as we would if you were Jesus,” Monroe said. “I want to give Jesus and anybody else the best I can, and if I’m able to be part of that, then I’m accomplishing my mission.”