Kenny Suazo- October’s Volunteer of the Month!
By: Jennifer Denton

This month’s volunteer of the month is embarking on his third year as a volunteer with the ARCH.  Kenny Suazo is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada where he had the distinction of being one of the first male cheerleaders at his high school since it opened over 50 years ago, and moved to Austin in September of 2008 after falling in love with the people and “the Austin atmosphere” during a visit.  Studying Natural Sciences and Liberal Arts at the University of Texas, Kenny hopes to continue his education with a Masters in Physician Assistant studies. 

Kenny has been volunteering here at the ARCH since November of 2008, jumping in to help in to serve dinner in the kitchen, sorting donations, and helping at the mail/hygiene desk.   When asked why he chose to volunteer at the ARCH, Kenny says “I wanted to establish a connection with the Austin community, since Austin was my new home, in a positive and rewarding manner.”  His willingness to help the homeless community both in Austin and here at the ARCH is reflected in his three years of valued time and energy spent helping those in need.  We are continually blessed by volunteers, such as Kenny, who are here week after week, month after month, often heeding our last minute calls for volunteer help, until years have gone by and they have become like family. 

Kenny, like many volunteers, says that his experience volunteering at the ARCH is an enriching and heartwarming experience for him, and is the reason he has kept volunteering here.  “One of my first and most memorable experiences at the ARCH was decorating the Christmas tree.  I enjoyed the client’s smiles and the want to participate in decorating”.  His favorite part of volunteering stems from the appreciation he sees in the clients he has met, and feels that his experience volunteering with the homeless has taught him that even when he feels that he doesn’t have much, he is grateful and appreciative of everything that he has.  “At the end of the day, I have so much to be thankful for, such as my health, family and friends.”

Thank you, Kenny, for being part of the Front Steps/ARCH volunteer family, and for your three years of dedication to serving the homeless in Austin.  We greatly appreciate everything that you do, because without you and other volunteers like you, we couldn’t do what we do.  Congratulations on being October’s Volunteer of the Month!