Who are NSP Volunteers?

NSP volunteers are from diverse backgrounds across the United States and around the world. They come from all academic disciplines ranging from business, social work, international relations, chemistry, psychology and everything in between. Most are undergraduate students, some are graduate students; all have a passion for serving their communities one client at a time. They are driven, dedicated visionaries with remarkable problem-solving and research skills. NSP volunteers are also known for their humble approach to client service-- while they represent some of the most talented young leaders in the country, they understand that they have just as much to learn from their clients, as their clients have to learn from them.

Become a Volunteer!

"I credit NSP for getting me to the place I'm at in life and how confident I feel in my ability to make change."

Read Adrienne and Tori's story.

"NSP gave me the confidence to be innovative in entirely new areas, and I now can see myself as an entrepreneur."

Read Russell's story.

"Sometimes clients tell me, 'You don't know how I feel,' but I can honestly say I do.I was there once."

Read Benita's story.

Volunteer Profiles

Adrienne and Tori Furstenau
Twins Adrienne and Tori Furstenau have never been far from each other's side, even in their high school cross country races running stride for stride to the finish line. When one sister discovered a new instrument, sport or volunteer project, the other was quick to follow. So it is no surprise that when Tori joined NSP-Evanston in the spring quarter of her sophomore year at Northwestern University, she recruited her sister to serve next to her. In two years they have learned more about each other, their values and their community than they ever thought possible.

For twenty years, Adrienne and Tori have encouraged each other every step of the way and are now extending this family support system to other Evanston residents.

"I constantly depend on Adrienne's patience and grace under pressure, and I knew that NSP clients would appreciate her calming presence," Tori said. For Adrienne, she finds motivation in her ability to work individually with clients as she explores the many faces of poverty and barriers that exist for low-income families as they work to achieve self-sufficiency.

"NSP gives us the unique opportunity to be that non-judging, listening ear that people might be missing in their life and can't find anywhere else," Adrienne said. "Everyone needs a sounding board to work through issues, get a different perspective and most importantly to serve as a 'pick me up' at the end of the day."

Throughout the summer, Tori continued to establish deeper connections with clients in the NSP office when she became a Summer Director, working full time with individuals helping them reach their goals. The increased exposure to the personal struggles clients face when trying to navigate social services starting at the bottom reinforced the value of having strong family relationships and safety nets when faced with such challenges. She states that the experience has made her value her sister and their bond more than ever.

Both sisters are now excited about pursuing careers in public service that offer the freedom and fulfillment they have found in their direct service as NSP volunteers. They plan to continue to develop their skills as advocates for low-income families and leaders in policy work, hoping to change the state of poverty in America.

"I credit NSP for getting me to the place I'm at in life and how confident I feel in my ability to make change," Tori said. "NSP has given me the tools to feel like I can make a difference and that people are counting on me."

Russell Sargent
Russell Sargent's mind is often focused on distant planets in outer space. The senior at Tufts University works in a physics lab for hours at a time studying sensor systems to land on the moon and developing instruments that will measure oxygen in Martian soil. In his other life across town, Russell sits face to face with an NSP-Somerville client with only 60 minutes to produce results before his next client meeting. It is hard to imagine how he bridges these dual worlds, but he says, "Physics is fundamentally taking a big problem and breaking it into smaller pieces. At NSP, I take the same approach."

In his sophomore year, Russell knew he would need to leave the physics lab to feel connected to his new community. Struck by a description of NSP, Russell's scientific mind was skeptical, but he felt pulled by the organization's mutually attracting force. "I thought, this is either going to be a horrible mistake, or truly revolutionary." And so, a new orbit was set in motion - Initially, however, Russell struggled to develop soft skills that seemed intuitive to other students. "Working in a lab, time is not a limiting factor. No one is watching over you, waiting for you to perform," he says. "At NSP, there was always a client sitting there, expecting outcomes." After a semester of volunteering, he seemed unsure of his ability to relate to clients.

At this pivotal moment, Russell discovered that NSP provides clients with free tax assistance services. Filing taxes for clients intimidated many NSP students, but Russell quickly developed an understanding of basic tax law. "I was accustomed to digesting technical language from my work in physics," he says. "Tax assistance helped me realize that I brought skills to client service as well." Russell soon became the "head taxpert" in the Somerville office. Now volunteers from all NSP tax assistance sites call him for advice. With the launch he needed, Russell's confidence soared. "Through NSP, I have acquired the emotional maturity necessary to communicate well. That is something you can't learn in a text book."

Next year, Russell will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a graduate student in the Aeronautics department where he will create systems to navigate spacecraft during interplanetary missions. "Before NSP, I didn't think I could be a leader outside my specialty of science and engineering," he says. "NSP gave me the confidence to be innovative in entirely new areas, and I now can see myself as an entrepreneur."

Benita Veliz
Her Mexican family arrived eleven years ago, homeless, unemployed, and trapped behind a language barrier. They came to the United States with the dream that so many other immigrants have tried to fulfill. As a little girl, Benita Veliz believed that this wealthy country would be able to help her family achieve success. While her family did triumph, it was because of hard work and struggle and not due to assistance or support from the government. "I look at myself and think what am I doing here, how did I get here? I come from a family that needed the services NSP offers, but we never had any idea how to access them."

So it was no surprise that this Sociology student would be interested in volunteering for an organization that would combine her educational interest with community change. Benita attended an NSP information session as a freshman at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX, and it wasn't long before she made her mark in the NSP-San Antonio office. Her enthusiasm for volunteering was rewarded with the role of Client Services Manager. In this position, Benita spearheaded a client follow-up outreach system that allowed the San Antonio office to reconnect with past clients and ensure continued service to meet their needs. Her success in that role promoted Benita to the position of Local Director at the beginning of her sophomore year and to serve as a member of the National Student Advisory Board as a junior.

Due to her own personal experiences, she has the remarkable ability to relate to her clients and put them at ease. "Sometimes clients tell me, 'You don't know how I feel,' but I can honestly say I do...I was there once. Helping someone to realize the value they have as a person, worker, and citizen, is the most rewarding part of client work."

*Contact info@nspnet.org for information about NSP-San Antonio.

Become a Volunteer!

Duties and Responsibilities: NSP Volunteers are needed in all of NSP’s 12 Local Offices to work one-on-one with Clients to help them reach their goals. As a volunteer you might help somebody write his or her first resume, locate a G.E.D. program, find affordable housing, or help someone find a job. Volunteers work at least four hours in the office each week, meeting with clients and researching social services and job openings in the area. Tools are provided in the office to help guide volunteers’ work, including resource binders and veteran volunteers with great ideas about projects you can initiate.

Qualifications: NSP volunteers are bright, motivated students with a strong desire to get to know and give back to their communities. We’re looking for people who are determined and committed to helping others by lending their pro-active problem-solving skills. Volunteers must be good listeners and supporters with a willingness to get to know people in their community and the services available to help them.

Benefits to Becoming an NSP Volunteer: NSP provides direct, hands-on experience with poverty, unemployment, housing, public assistance, and a variety of other issues. While volunteering at NSP there are many opportunities to gain and develop leadership skills in working with diverse groups of people, office management, public relations and event planning, and non-profit organization and management. You will establish contacts in the business and social service world, and have important skills to put on your resume. While client service is the heart and soul of NSP, volunteers of all types are needed if you have other specific skills and talents to offer the office. Join us in making a difference in our community: one relationship at a time!

For information about volunteering with NSP in your community, please contact the Local Office near you.