why Shifali volunteers: joy, connection, and community!

When Shifali moved to Seattle, she was looking for a place to volunteer where she could give back, build relationships, and become part of a community. That search led her to Mary’s Place—and eventually to hundreds of hours spent laughing, playing, and connecting with kids in our shelters. 

“I honestly don’t even remember exactly how I first found Mary’s Place,” she shared. “But I reached out, and the volunteer coordinator got back to me right away. Before I knew it, I was volunteering every Friday evening.” 

Shifali called those evenings “Friday Fitness Hour.” Armed with light weights, bands, medicine balls, and plenty of energy, she guided kids through fun HIIT-style workouts followed by circle time conversations. “We had so many meaningful and heartwarming conversations, we would talk about what we love about ourselves, our goals, and fun things like what superpower we’d like to have.” 

Over time, her role evolved. Today, she spends Sunday afternoons with children at Mary’s Place alongside other volunteers from Live to Serve, the nonprofit she co-founded. 

“The age range is huge—from six-month-old babies to teenagers—so we do all sorts of activities,” she explained. “Sometimes it’s reading books or doing math activities, other times it’s games like Spot It!, which gets hilariously competitive. Experiencing homelessness is hard on children, and our weekly time together allows them to simply enjoy being kids—they aren’t looking for sympathy about their situation - they just want a friend to play with, talk to, and dream with.” 

For Shifali, the joy of volunteering goes beyond activities and games. It’s about encouraging kids to recognize the strength, resilience, and potential inside themselves. One of her most memorable moments came from a simple conversation with an eight-year-old girl. “I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she said, ‘I don’t know, you tell me.’ When I suggested maybe becoming a doctor for kids, her eyes lit up and she said, ‘That’s exactly what I want to be!’ For the next half hour, she asked question after question about what she’d need to study to make that dream come true. It was such a powerful reminder that sometimes all kids need is a little nudge to imagine what’s possible.” 

She had a similar conversation with the girl’s brother, who loved soccer. “When I told him I’d come watch him play if he became a professional player, he got so excited. These little affirmations can mean so much—they help kids start to see new paths for themselves.” 

She’s also quick to point out that kids and families experiencing homelessness are no different than anyone else. “These kids watch the same shows as my son, they love the same games- and their parents are working so incredibly hard to provide for their kids, just like every other parent I know. Homelessness doesn’t define them or their future. When organizations like Mary’s Place help ensure they have opportunities, these kids and parents can thrive.” 

Reflecting on her experience, Shifali says it doesn’t feel like she’s “giving” so much as receiving. “The time I spend with the kids fills me with so much joy and positivity. I think people sometimes assume volunteering means sacrificing, but honestly, it feels like the opposite—I get so much back.” 

 “What I think is special about Mary’s Place is how community is at the heart of everything they do. There’s the community families build with one another in shelter, the broader community support that helps ensure families are safe and housed, and the reminder that every family is an important part of our larger King County community—they’re all our neighbors, and they matter. Not everyone can give financially, but when you step back and see that the true heart of Mary’s Place is fostering a supportive community where everyone has the chance to thrive, it becomes clear that each of us can play a part in that—whether it’s volunteering, fundraising, advocacy work, or just sharing a smile.” 

Her advice to others considering getting involved as a volunteer? “Just start!” Whether you can give one hour a month or a few hours each week, your time and energy will bring joy, encouragement, and hope to families experiencing homelessness.