Daily Inspiration: Meet Daniel Wakefield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Wakefield.

Hi Daniel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. When I was a senior in high school, I was invited by an Ursuline Sister to come to their Motherhouse to help serve at a jubilee celebration. This invitation had a profound effect on me and my life. I began learning about the Ursuline Sisters and their ministries. I eventually served as a tutor in their children’s program for kids who were living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. Working with the children changed me personally and professionally. I remained involved with the program throughout my four years in college. When I graduated with a teaching degree, I moved out of state for several years. I would come home in the summer, and I continued to volunteer with the children’s program.

In 2013, I became an Ursuline Associate. An Ursuline Associate is a layperson who makes a commitment to do the best that they can to live the charism of the Ursuline Sisters. The following year, I was invited to work for the Ursuline Sisters and their HIV/AIDS Ministry full-time in administration. Eventually, I served as the director of the ministry from 2017-2021. In 2016, I was invited by one of the Ursuline Sisters to join the board of directors for the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Youngstown. I joined the Board and learned more about this ministry and program, which was started in Youngstown in 2009 as a joint venture between the Sisters of the Humility of Mary and the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown.

In 2021, I decided to return to teaching full-time. The next year, I was invited by Sr. Ann McManamon, HM, who was the founder and long-time coordinator of the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Youngstown, to join a leadership team at the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality. Sr. Ann was preparing to retire and wanted to ensure that a leadership team was in place to continue the valuable work that was being done for our community.

I currently work full-time as a lecturer at Youngstown State University in the Teacher Education program. I volunteer my time as the coordinator of the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Youngstown.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In any journey, there are always some obstacles and challenges. I recognize that I have been very fortunate to have the support and assistance of not only my family, but also the Ursuline Sisters and Associates. It is not lost on me that the course of my life has been altered because of the invitations that have been extended to me by vowed women religious and Associates. Accepting any invitation, especially when there are a lot of unknowns, can be scary and seem daunting. I have been fortunate to have a great support system who have kept me going. In many instances, family members and friends get recruited to help me in my efforts, whether it was helping at fundraisers, assisting with bagging bread, or helping to pick up or provide food for the guests served at Dorothy Day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Youngstown is unique in many ways. First, we are an all volunteer run organization. It is truly inspiring to serve alongside of fellow volunteers who generously donate their time and talents to serve our guests and to make a difference in our community. Secondly, inspired by Dorothy Day, our work is focused not only on what we do, but how we do it. We provide a hospitable, warm, welcoming, and dignified space for the guests who come through our door. We work to build community between volunteers and guests. Finally, we do not accept any government funding. All of our funds come through individual donations and support, or the support of local foundations and organizations.

Currently, the services that we provide include an evening meal service on Mondays through Thursdays. We also offer “meals to go” on Sunday afternoons. Last year, we served 17,554 meals. We also offer weekly showers to those in need. Last year, we provided 857 showers to those in need. We offer a monthly gifting distribution of personal hygiene products and necessities, and also host a monthly roundtable to raise awareness about issues affecting our community. We also have a garden on-site, with the produce being used at our meal service or distributed out to the guests.

I think I am most proud of the way that all of our volunteers work to build community and to serve joyfully. Dorothy Day once remarked that we can “work to build the oasis, a little cell of joy and peace, in a harried world..” I frequently will remark that our Youngstown oasis is only made possible through the support of volunteers and donors.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have been privileged to have many individuals who have mentored me along the way. I think being open to listening and learning goes a long way. I think it is important to follow your heart and be courageous with being willing to accept new experiences. Learning and growing is not always a comfortable process. I have usually sought out those individuals who I have interacted with who have something to teach me or who challenge me to grow. At times, this might be a colleague or fellow volunteer, but I have also learned and grown so much from the guests and others who have been involved in the ministry. I think approaching interactions as a learning opportunity–whether the person has a title or not–goes a long way to helping me with my own professional, personal, and spiritual growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://youngstowncatholicworker.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064251356749