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Volunteer Story
Andy Champagne-Willis
Andy Champagne-Willis is a parole officer and a volunteer with GMDVP. “I work in criminal justice and I see a lot of domestic violence”, Andy says. “There are just not enough people to work on this issue, especially in the LGBT community.” So Andy began volunteering for GMDVP in 1997. He trained as a hotline volunteer and has been answering calls ever since.
For Andy, GMDVP is a good fit. First, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his work as a parole officer. More importantly, Andy has a strong religious faith. “I think it is important for people to be involved in some way – faith is not just a creed, it’s a deed.”
In his 10 years as a hotline volunteer, Andy has helped many people. He remembers one caller in particular, Bill (the real names are not used). He had been pushed and hit by his partner, Sam, that morning. Bill was confused and not sure what to do. He needed someone to whom he could tell his story. He and his partner had been together for 8 months and his partner had never hit him before. But there had been warning signs – an explosive temper for which his partner blamed on stress at work, and his partner talked down to Bill sometimes. Bill was beginning to identify the abuse in the relationship, but he felt guilty -- he had grown up in an abusive home and thought he should have seen the warning signs. Andy and Bill talked about Bill’s next steps - how he might manage the situation and what further support he might get. “Bill was like many callers”, Andy says, “they want someone to listen; they want to know they’re not alone; they want to know their experience is like other people’s; and they want hope.”
Andy has volunteered in multiple capacities at GMDVP. He has helped with GMDVP’s Pride Parade activities, the Boston Pride Brunch and most recently he was a member of the 10^th Anniversary Planning Committee. Andy also finds time to be active with the Gay Officers Action League of New England (G.O.A.L.).
Andy urges others to volunteer, “Do it, without question. There is such a need. People need to know that they can reach out and someone is there. If people are calling, they need help, that’s what it comes down to. Someone needs to answer their calls.”