This week we’ll meet Pastor Luis Sura. This Franklin, Tennessee pastor says that he has been volunteering since before he knew what the word meant, and now he does so in an official capacity. While he holds a part-time job as an assistant pastor, he also runs the nonprofit Better Options TN, which was founded in 2016.

Better Options TN has several initiatives, including mentoring and ESL classes, but its main focus is helping people find housing, filling a big need in the community. Pastor Sura explains that there are many places to get help with clothes or food, but this is one of the few organizations that offers assistance with rent and finding housing.

Although it is a huge time commitment, Pastor Sura loves his volunteer work. He says that it is essential for people to volunteer with something they love doing.

“When you love what you do,” he says, “even when they don't pay you, you enjoy it.”

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doingggood.tv.

Read Pastor Sura's blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog.

Learn more about Better Options TN at https://betteroptionstn.com.

In this episode of the Doing Good Podcast, we meet Julie Ridenour from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Julie is a longtime volunteer with multiple organizations, a mother of grown children, and most recently, a puppy raiser for Freedom Service Dogs in Colorado.

Raising a future service dog has been a lifelong dream for Julie. About two months ago, she received her puppy, Salem, and will foster her until she’s around 18 months old. During this time, Julie will focus on socializing Salem, teaching her basic obedience, and preparing her for her future role as a service dog for someone with a disability. Afterward, Salem will return to Freedom Service Dogs to begin her training and start her new life.

Julie highlights the excellent training and support Freedom Service Dogs provides to puppy raisers—an important factor to consider for anyone interested in this type of volunteer work. She also shares the emotional bond she’s formed with Salem, knowing she is just one step in the dog’s journey. “Everyone asks if it will be hard to give her up. My response is maybe, but I know she has an important job ahead of her.”

This episode is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at www.doinggood.tv, and read Julie’s blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog. To find out more about Freedom Service Dogs, visit freedomservicedogs.org.

This week, we’re shaking things up by introducing a newcomer to volunteering: Jack Valentino. Jack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where he attends Belmont University. As a passionate musician, he naturally gravitated towards volunteering by sharing his love for music with others.

Just a few months ago, Jack began his volunteer journey with Love Learning Music, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the developmental needs of children through adaptive music education. Currently, Jack teaches piano to one of these children, helping instill a love of classical music. Although he’s new to this role, Jack is committed to continuing his work.

When asked for advice for prospective volunteers, Jack says, 'I’d suggest volunteering in an area you’re passionate about.'

You can learn more about Love Learning Music at: https://www.lovelearningmusic.org/

This podcast is brought to you by Doing Good, a 501c3 nonprofit. www.doinggood.tv. Read Jack's blog post at www.doinggood.tv/blog