Meet James Gengler: A Volunteer at the Compass Center of Shoreline

The Compass Housing Alliance has a branch in Shoreline called Compass Center.  The Center helps men and women displaced by a weak economy, unfortunate life situations and other hardships.

As stated by Compass Housing Alliance, “By the end of 2009, the Compass Center was operating day services, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, and family shelter at 19 locations around the Seattle Area.

"In 2009, LATCH and The Compass Center began the process of merging into one comprehensive housing and services agency.  Compass Housing Alliance was officially born on January 1, 2010.”

Tracy Jones, a program manager at Compass Housing Alliance nominated James Gengler as an outstanding volunteer.  Jones said, “He is amazing and we could not do it without him.”  

Patch sat down to converse with Gengler.

Patch: What city do you live in? How long have you been volunteering with this organization?

Gengler:  I've been volunteering at the Shoreline Veterans Compass Center since 2008. I'm currently living in Shoreline and was a past resident of the Shoreline Veterans Center from Sept 2006 to Feb 2008. 

Patch:  How did you hear about Compass Center?

Gengler:  I believe that I found them on the Internet.

Patch:  What do you do at Compass Center?

Gengler:  The Center has two community meals a week, Thursday and Sunday, so I've been cooking meals for the 25 residents on those days. I do this 3 or more times a month.  When I was a resident I was volunteering to cook some of those days during the month rotating with others. Having worked in the restaurant business for over 40 years cooking was not a problem. It’s something I like to do.  I like to make roasts and really good gravy.

Patch:  Why did you choose to volunteer at Compass Center?  Why do you spend your time volunteering?  You are not getting paid for your time, what inspires you to make this commitment to Compass Center? 

Gengler:  When I left the program in 2008 I continued to volunteer to cook because it was a way for me to give back to them for what they had given me. They gave me a chance to live a better life then what I was headed towards by opening doors of opportunity. Besides, it makes me feel good about myself that I'm able to help in some way. It puts a lot of spare time to good use and the meeting of different people. I enjoy cooking and I'm doing it at my pace, less stressful. Yes I don't get paid to do this but I do get to eat what I cook, that's payment enough.

The staff and residents have all appreciated and been nice to me, so why not, do something for them. I kind of think of it as a home away from home, a second family in a way. When not cooking at Shoreline Veterans Center I'm helping others in other ways.  Some are past residents of the program, some are not.

Patch:  Share something unique about your self.  Hobbies? Travel?  Sports lover?

Gengler:  When I do get some time to myself I enjoy watching college football and basketball.

Patch:  Anything else you would like to share?

Gengler:  I was born in Bremerton in 1945.  I graduated from Ballard High School in 1963.  I joined the Army in 1967.  The Army brought me to Germany and other places in the world.  I am 15 credits short of finishing my Associate’s of Arts Degree at a community college.  I came to live at Compass Center in 2006 because I fell on hard times.  I had a bad illness and the big medical bills came at a time when I could not work due to my poor health.  During this time, I was divorced too.  I am very grateful to The Compass Center.  I ain’t nothing special.

Patch:  Unfortunately, Gengler is one of many living testimonials that the homeless are not just drug dealers or bad people who can’t “fly right.”  For many, he symbolizes life’s tough knocks, a reminder that being homeless can happen to anyone, at any time.  If you are homeless and want help, perhaps, there is an agency out there who can help you.  

If you are fortunate with daily shelter, food and the basics to survive on. If you are willing and have any time to spare, there are many opportunities to volunteer in Shoreline and LFP.  Ask Patch, we’ll point you in the right direction.