043 Beth Howard–The Café at Thistle Farms
The Café at Thistle Farms—Home to Anyone Who Walks Through Their Doors
Growing up in a conservative household in the Bible belt, Beth Howard learned very early in life that any honest job is one of which to be proud. After meeting friends for coffee numerous times at The Café at Thistle Farms, Beth felt called to volunteer in The Café helping in countless ways. It wasn’t long before she knew she was in the right place—giving back to others by waiting on tables, taking out the garbage, and any job which allowed the ladies of Magdalene to spend more time interacting with customers.
The Café feels like home to anyone who walks through the doors. It was built and staffed by the Magdalene graduates and dedicated volunteers. It is a warm and inviting spot for catching up with friends, enjoying a homemade meal, sipping a cup of tea or coffee, or sharing a story—and for discovering or reaffirming that Love Heals!
Beth cut her professional life cut short to make time to take care of a son with cancer and her aging mother. Beth feels she’s being as deliberate about future choices as well. She shares, “I’m taking each day as it comes, doing all I can to volunteer my time to causes that are most meaningful to me. For today, it’s working. “
For more information about Magdalene, Thistle Farms, and The Café at Thistle Farms go to the website: thistlefarms.org.
You can find other episodes in the series at retiretovolunteering.com.
You can support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.