“I didn’t have a car, so I would make the one hour walk to Charlottesville High School every week. I didn’t mind at all, though, even when it got cold, because it was something I was really passionate about.”
Heather MacRae, a 2019 graduate who majored in Psychology and English with a minor in Women & Gender Studies, joined Madison House as a second year volunteering with the Cavs in the Classroom program. Heather enjoyed her first Madison House volunteer experience immensely, but her bubbling passion for service drove her to Bridging the Gap in her third year, our program devoted to befriending and mentoring refugee children.
For many of our programs that happen off-grounds, Madison House pairs two or more student volunteers in a carpool system, but when Heather’s driver had to drop out of the program that fall, she was determined not to give up on the budding connection she had been developing with her mentee. “I first wanted to focus on building a relationship with her so that she would actually be comfortable with me.” So once a week for the semester, she made the long trek to Charlottesville High School to study with her mentee and strengthen their friendship.
Eventually, Heather’s mentee became comfortable enough with her that she began inviting her to her home, and MacRae got to meet and interact with the rest of the family. As Heather spent more time with her mentee, their relationship only became stronger. They did everything together from working on homework, applications, and resumes to watching her mentee’s four younger siblings. “It’s pretty unique at UVA,” Heather said of Madison House’s Bridging the Gap. “We work so closely with actual refugees who are here in Charlottesville outside of that UVA bubble.”
The relationship Heather built with her mentee was the most rewarding part of her time with Madison House, and while it was an experience she would encourage all of her fellow students to take advantage of, she recognizes that the time she was able to devote to volunteering was a privilege.
After graduation, Heather remains committed to maintaining the relationship she built with her mentee. “I’ve let her know multiple times that she can text me or email me at any point for homework help, application help, or anything like that.”
Heather’s dedication to service goes beyond just her time with Madison House and UVA — she hopes to eventually work with refugees or sexual assault survivors. Heather envisions a lifetime of service for herself, the same vision we aim to instill in each and every Madison House volunteer who enters our doors.