In the Volunteer Spotlight we aim to recognize a Youth Service, Inc. volunteer making an impact in the communities we serve. Christine Hoff, her husband Curt and son Max volunteer at Baring House Crisis Nursery.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

Christine: We grew up in Philadelphia and moved to Abington, PA about 24 years ago. We’ve been married for 30 years. I’m a legal assistant, Curt is a Regional Director of Operations at Sunrise Senior Living and Max is 12 and loves baseball and soccer.  We have an older son, Curt Jr., who is 25 and lives in Philadelphia with his girlfriend.

Q: How long have you been volunteering at YSI?

Christine: We started volunteering in December for the Christmas drive so about 4 months.

Q: Why did you choose YSI when you were looking for a place to volunteer?

Christine: We heard about your crisis shelter for endangered youth and looked into what YSI was all about. We were so impressed with the organization that we felt we had to get involved. Once we reached out to YSI  and met with your amazing staff and heard more about YSI we knew this was a truly worthwhile cause. I think we get more from volunteering at YSI than we give. After our first visit to Baring House, Max asked when can we go back?

Q: Why do you think it is important to volunteer?

Christine: We truly believe in paying it forward and that being involved in your community is such an easy, rewarding thing.  Whenever there’s a need, we just put it out there and  friends, family and even strangers always contribute. As the saying goes, it takes a village.

To nominate a volunteer for our Volunteer Spotlight or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact us at volunteer@ysiphila.org.