For one volunteer with A Faith That Does Justice, stepping into the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program wasn’t a difficult decision—it felt like a natural next step.

English is Rodrigo Chandia’s second language so when he first heard about the opportunity to help others learn English, it brought him right back to his own experience of navigating a new language and all the challenges that come with it. Volunteering became a way to meet others in that same moment of uncertainty and to offer the kind of support he once needed himself.

Rodrigo’s faith plays a clear role in that commitment. Grounded in the call to “love your neighbor” and “do unto others,” he sees volunteering not as an obligation, but as a way of living out those values in a real and tangible way.

That sense of purpose shows up most clearly at the end of each ESOL cycle. As students grow in their skills, something deeper grows too: confidence. Watching that transformation -seeing people begin to find their voice in a new language – is a moment that stays with him, he says. It’s a reminder that the teachings of his Christian faith are not abstract ideas but can take shape in everyday acts of care, patience, and encouragement.

Through this work, he’s also discovered something unexpected: giving his time doesn’t just benefit others, it changes him, too. Investing in his community, he says, has been just as meaningful for his own growth and faith.

To anyone who feels the pull to volunteer but hasn’t yet taken that first step, his advice is simple: take it. Even once. “Exercise your ability to share love and compassion,” he says. “You will come out better.”

At A Faith That Does Justice, volunteers like him are at the heart of everything we do. They bring their lived experiences, their faith, and their willingness to show up for others. In doing so, they help build a more connected, compassionate, and just community.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, this is your invitation. Volunteer today.