What Volunteering Taught Me

Before Chris Ng volunteered at the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter, his understanding of who uses shelters was narrow.

“My limited exposure all these years to the homeless population would be somebody living in a tent in the woods somewhere,” he said. “That’s my very limited exposure to that. I was wrong.”

Chris has lived in the Upper Valley since 1985. He worked, raised a family, and benefited from what he describes as “wonderful neighbors and local businesses.” When he retired, he began looking for ways to benefit the community. An article about the delayed opening of the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter caught his attention, and he signed up to volunteer.

Last winter was his first season.

“I’ve always had a place in my heart for the homeless population in the Upper Valley,” Chris said. “Now that I’m retired, I have time to give back.”

The Lebanon Seasonal Shelter is operated by Upper Valley Haven in partnership with the City of Lebanon. Open during the coldest months of the year, the shelter provides a low-barrier place for people to sleep, eat a hot meal, and be indoors overnight. This winter marks the final season of the Lebanon shelter, with the Haven preparing to open a new year-round shelter and resource center in White River Junction later this year.

Chris volunteered primarily during dinner service. He arrived in the late afternoon, helped prepare beverages, set up the dining space, and served meals. Once everyone was fed, volunteers and guests often sat together.

“We sit down with the guests and ask them how the day was,” he said. “Serve seconds if they need seconds.”

It was during these everyday moments that Chris’s understanding shifted.

“There are people who have jobs, but remain homeless,” he said. “They would come in and prepare themselves to go to work. I had never thought about that until I experienced it.”

Seeing this firsthand made the region’s housing challenges feel more immediate and personal.

“That makes me even more sad for the Upper Valley,” Chris said. “We have plenty of jobs, but many can’t afford to live here.”

Chris noticed a wide range of experiences among guests. Some were familiar faces who knew the staff well, while others kept to themselves. Some were navigating mental health challenges or substance use. Others were working, trying to stay afloat in a region with limited affordable housing.

“A common misconception that I had was that all homeless people have no jobs and are just looking for a handout,” he said. “That is not at all true from my personal experience.”

Chris also spoke about the importance of the shelter’s low-barrier approach, which allows people to enter as they are.

“I think it is amazing that you can do that,” he said. “You can first provide them safety, provide them with stability, food. From there is your launching pad to helping them with any medical issues, any mental health issues.”

That sense of safety, he said, is foundational.

“They need to feel safe with you first and foremost,” Chris said. “They need to feel safe themselves that they’re not out there trying to find the next meal or trying not to freeze to death.”

Over the course of the season, Chris began to see the shelter not as a standalone solution, but as part of a larger continuum of care.

“It most definitely fills a gap,” he said. “Once you have satisfied that need for housing and food, the Haven steps in and helps them out to next steps.”

When asked what he would say to someone considering volunteering, Chris was quick to reassure.

“Last year was my first year. I felt really supported as a first-time volunteer,” he said. “The staff are really amazing to give direction and give a hand. Try it. If it’s not for you, there are other things. The Haven is a big organization.”

For Chris, showing up changed more than his schedule. It expanded his understanding of who experiences housing insecurity in the Upper Valley and why shelters like Lebanon’s exist.

“I want to be part of that solution,” he said. “In however little way that I can help.”

As the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter enters its final months and the Haven prepares to open a year-round shelter and resource center, Chris’s experience shows how volunteering can shift perspectives and bring the realities of this work into clearer focus.

Volunteers play an important role in this work. If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering with the Haven, you can explore current opportunities here.