SPONSORED SPECIAL SECTION REDWOOD GOSPEL MISSIONS
need volunteers,” he stresses. “The guests in the programs we serve— they need volunteers.” Sangervasi says RGM operates on the philosophy that homelessness is less about a lack of housing and more about a lack of relationships. Homelessness, he points out, is often rooted in the loss of family, a job, or a spouse or partner. “If relationships are at the core,” he says, “then we want to be about opportunities for relationships.” To that end, volunteering for the gospel mission is as much about lending a hand in service, as it is extending a hand in friendship. “Sometimes it’s all about showing up and saying hello and looking them in the eye and treating them like a human— asking their name and then remembering their name the next time you see them,” says Sangervasi. “If you treat someone with dignity and respect, they’ll start [conducting themselves] with dignity and respect.” Likewise, Sangervasi aims to make RGM equally welcoming to those interested in volunteering—even if they’ve never volunteered before. “Helping those in need can be well intentioned, but very scary,” he says. And starting one’s volunteering journey with an established organization like Redwood Gospel Missions can ensure a positive outcome for both the volunteer and those served. “There are wonderful people doing things on their own, but there are also those who may not know how to serve others in an entirely healthy way,” he cautions. RGM, he says, is a platform to equip the people in the community to help the people in the community. Sangervasi often hears interested volunteers discount themself because they feel they haven’t anything to give. Rest assured, he says, “[everyone] has so much to offer.” Best of all, RGM has so many volunteering needs, pretty much anyone can find a niche. From shelter volunteers, food servers, class facilitators and thrift- store assistants to gardeners, handymen, drivers and haircutters—Sangervasi’s team will find a meaningful role for whomever wants one. In fact, it was through experiencing the efforts of gospel mission volunteers that brought Kenzie to the organization years ago. When she was still pulling her life together, Kenzie attended one of RGM’s Thanksgiving banquets held annually at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and was “bowled over” by the efforts of the nearly 400 volunteers to serve turkey and fixings
to more than 5,000 guests. “It wasn’t what you’d picture as a typical [meal for the needy],” she says. “They were serving us like we were at a restaurant. “I thought—I’ve got to do this someday.” When she felt she was far enough along in her recovery to begin helping others, “the first place I went was RGM.” Kenzie marks her 10th anniversary sober this September. Don’t wait—seek help now Kenzie believes the most important thing anyone facing homelessness, abuse or dependency can do is to seek help immediately. Looking back on her self- described “decade on the streets,” she has a list of regrets, but the final one is in not having gotten help sooner. “I wish I hadn’t waited,” she says. “I wish I’d done it then, instead of running.” If she could go back in time and speak to her younger, reckless self, she would implore her to seek out a place like Redwood Gospel Missions immediately. “I would say: You won’t believe what’s coming. There’s a whole team of people who are going to surround you and love you, and it’s going to be OK. “I never pictured I would have all these friends and this community—and that was going to carry me through all the scary hard stuff.” Adds Kenzie “It carried me through the hard stuff. But it was hard to imagine that, back then.” An ongoing commitment Since her recovery, Kenzie’s three older children have had “a constant place” in her life. “The restoration of relationships with my family has been a driving force in my commitment to transformation,” she says. Kenzie reconnected with her youngest son and the grandma who adopted him in 2020—they’ve reunited once in person and she has spoken with him by phone several times. She has faith that “through the grace and mercy of God,” that will grow into the kind of relationship she hopes to have with him one day. Thanks to Redwood Gospel Missions and a supportive community, Kenzie’s view to
Pay It Forward: How to Volunteer Redwood Gospel Missions' success is dependent upon its talented and hard-working network of volunteers. For those looking to make a positive impact on their community, contact Tina Karns at volunteer@rgm.org. Here are a few of the opportunities TSP coach, clothing room attendant, guest locker attendant, chapel audio/ visual, chapel greeter, chapel service setup/tear down, front desk contact, intake, driver • Men’s New Life Program: Teacher/ class facilitator, substitute teacher, coach, driver • Women’s New Life Program at Family Campus: Teacher/class facilitator, devotion facilitator, coach, driver • Outreach Ministries: Nomadic shelter, shower ministry, for which RGM has a need: • Men’s Guest Services: search and rescue, jail ministry, prayer ministry, outreach events, hair cutter, foot washing lead, event and pre- event assistance • Thrift Store in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park: Thrift store assistant, electronics tester (Santa Rosa only), back door donations receiver • Food Services: Food/meal preparation, breakfast cook, breakfast service, dinner service, food donation pick-up, coffee cart • Operations: Facility steward assistance, landscaping/gardening, handyman services, painter • Administration: Administrative assistance, partner connect phone call ministry
rock bottom is 10 years gone. But the climb continues. n
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44 NorthBaybiz
August 2025
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