10.17.2011

Volunteer Extraordinaire

Every year, CWJC nominates a volunteer to be honored at the Hands On Nashville Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Award banquet. This year, our nominee was Jamie Dunham. For six years, Jamie has dedicated herself fully, not only to the management and growth of the organization as a whole, but also to the individual women that we serve. She has a remarkable devotion to each heart and soul that walks through our doors, and she has voluntarily always gone the extra mile with each person or project she has encountered.

Jamie has served in a variety of different roles during her six years of volunteer service to CWJC. She first became involved with the organization as a board member. Her leadership on the board aided in the addition of two new satellites (Madison and Williamson County), along with the growth of the original Nashville site, expansion of staff, and development of updated policies and procedures. 

In 2008, she added to her list of volunteer services by teaching a weekly bible study class. For two hours every Monday night for the past three years, she has interacted in a classroom setting with over 50 students, leading them in the study of God’s Word and what it has to say about our work habits, children, relationships, struggles with sin, and hope of heaven. This time of teaching has inspired countless students in the area of self-esteem and self-respect. Jamie has a unique way of presenting the Word of God so that it is accessible and applicable, and she leads the ladies in a discussion that is both challenging and encouraging. Thanks to her leadership and sensitivity, a wonderful sense of community is built among the women during bible study. Most participants in our program would say that it is the most refreshing time of their week. As one student put it, “Mrs. Jamie is like an angel to me.” 

Jamie’s most recent contribution has been to the development of updated branding and marketing for our organization.  Beginning in 2009, she recruited a team of marketers and designers to conceive and design a new logo for us and a fresh look for our website and promotional materials. As a branding strategist by trade, Jamie was the perfect person to take on this role.

Beyond providing these essential services, Jamie is a constant advocate for CWJC. Wherever she is in the community, she is always seeking partnerships and services for our women. If needs arise at our site, she recruits teams to provide for these needs.  In the past, she has organized groups to collect Christmas gifts for children of participants, provide baby showers for pregnant participants, and raise funding for bus passes for participants’ transportation to our classes. The benefits CWJC has received through Jamie Dunham’s volunteer service is immeasurable. The selflessness with which she devotes her time, skills, and energy is a lesson to us all. One person with a passion for service can truly change the shape of an organization, and change the very lives of women in need.