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Q&A with Bruce Freier, PADS site director

Name: Bruce Freier

Number of years volunteering: 13 years as site manager; nine years as site director at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights

Q. How has volunteering at Journeys | The Road Home impacted your life?

Freier. In my early career I was in the restaurant business, and I was the guy who had people remove the homeless from loitering in the restaurants. (There was a) 360-degree change to today being a very active advocate for the homeless.

Q. How did you get involved with volunteering at PADS?

Freier. My daughter, Stephanie, introduced me to PADS through a project in her confirmation class. I was mentored by two great site directors, Dave Peterson and Virginia Blank.

Q. What have you learned about the population we serve since coming to Journeys?

Freier. Our guests are just regular folks like us who have had an unfortunate event make them homeless. They are our former neighbors, church members and friends who just need a break to get back on their feet. The success stories at the sites and at Journeys are a testament to this team effort.

Q. Any interesting news about your PADS site location that you would like to share:

Freier. Our Saviour's Lutheran Church just completed a total remodel. We added two showers, two washers and dryers, a dishwasher, ice machine and a new exhaust fan/fire protection system for our kitchen, as well as new sleeping rooms and upgraded gathering space to serve dinner and relax. We offer haircuts, and our welcome dogs are at the site once a month.

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