In Fam-Club, small moments matter.
“The first time a kid remembered me when I came back, was like ‘Wow, showing up matters,’” Ella Westmoreland said. “Being part of their normalcy during a hard time—it just feels really good.”
Since October 2025, Ella has been a regular presence in Community of Hope’s Fam-Club program, often volunteering one to two days a week. She spends her time playing games, coloring, and building relationships with children and families staying in our shelters.
Fam-Club operates across Community of Hope’s family shelter sites, including The Aya, Girard Street, and The Triumph. Through play, art, and shared moments, it helps create stability and belonging for families navigating a housing transition.
Ella, 22, is originally from Alexandria, Virginia and recently graduated from the University of South Carolina. During her gap year, while preparing to apply to physician assistant school, she wanted to do more. She found Community of Hope through her younger sister and is now something Ella looks forward to each week.
Over time, she’s become a familiar face. Kids run up to greet her. They remember her name.
Recently, one child handed her a drawing and told her to take it home and put it on her refrigerator. It’s moments like that that keep her coming back.
“It’s not serious or intimidating volunteering here,” Ella said. “You’re playing with the kids, coloring, laughing—it’s fun, and it’s really rewarding.”
Ella has also taken on projects beyond weekly visits. She’s helped organize birthday parties, made handmade cards, and worked on small projects for families as they move into permanent housing, adding a personal touch to an important transition.
For Ella, that consistency is what matters most. Showing up, being present, and building trust over time.
We’re grateful for the care and energy she and hundreds of other volunteers brings to our community all year long
Want to make a difference like Ella? Learn more about how you can get involved and become a volunteer with Community of Hope by signing up on our website or emailing volunteer@cohdc.org.
