Volunteer Spotlight: A Day on the Lake, A Lifetime of Impact
When Beth first learned about Corrie's House at a women's event, she knew she wanted to get involved. Having previously worked with Executive Director Renée Boehme, she was inspired by the mission and became both a volunteer and donor. When her husband, Chris, retired from teaching, Beth knew he would be a natural fit for volunteering with the youth as well. After completing our onboarding process for volunteers, they were ready to begin working with us to provide enrichment opportunities for our youth to experience.
Together, they opened their lake home for our staff and youth to experience a day filled with tubing, boating, swimming, cornhole, badminton, and a backyard BBQ. Their goal was simple: give our participants the opportunity to relax, have fun, and simply be kids.
"We've enjoyed hosting teens on the lake over the years and know how much fun it is for kids to disconnect and just be kids," Beth shared. "It's fun, relaxing, and we knew they would enjoy it."
Not knowing what to expect, Beth and Chris planned plenty of activities, hoping to create lasting memories. What they didn't anticipate was how enthusiastically the participants would embrace every opportunity.
"Little did we know they would enjoy ALL of it!" Beth said.
One of their favorite memories was watching the youth experience tubing for the first time.
"The smiles and laughter said it all."
As the day unfolded, Beth and Chris watched confidence replace hesitation. Some participants were initially reluctant to try new activities, but by the end of the day, they were eagerly joining in.
One youth participant had never learned to swim and was understandably nervous, even with her life jacket, about being in the water. With encouragement and support from staff and the other youth, she gained enough confidence that, by the afternoon, it was hard to convince her to get out of the lake. It was a beautiful reminder that healing often happens through new experiences, encouragement, and the simple belief that someone is capable. It also led to the staff arranging for this youth to participate in swim lessons by a certified swim instructor to learn this important life skill.
For Beth, one of the most meaningful parts of the day wasn't just the activities—it was the conversations.
"The youth opened up and shared their hopes for the future and happy memories from childhood," she said. "It's inspiring to see youth who have a lot to be unhappy about still have hope."
The experience left a lasting impact on both Beth and Chris.
"It was arguably the most gratifying thing we've ever done," Beth shared. "I miss the youth and really enjoyed talking with them. I hope to spend more time with them in the future and learn how they're doing."
When asked what she would tell someone considering volunteering, her answer was immediate:
"Do it! These opportunities mean SO much to the youth, and it's really fun."
Beth believes experiences like these go far beyond a single afternoon.
"It's really important for these youth to know that people care about them and believe in them. You could see how much they appreciated it, and how hopeful they were about their futures."
After spending the day with our participants, Beth's perspective on hope and restoration grew even stronger.
"Their willingness to try new things and appreciate simple moments—like swimming in the lake on a hot day—reminded me not to take things for granted and to live life to its fullest every day."
At Corrie's House, healing doesn't only happen in counseling sessions. Sometimes it happens on a boat, around a barbecue, or in the laughter shared on a summer afternoon. Thanks to volunteers like Beth and Chris, our participants are reminded that they are cared for, believed in, and deserving of joyful childhood experiences.