(Posted 2024 July)
Meet Seth Woehrle, Community Engagement Volunteer
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your professional background?
My professional background is in transportation and logistics. I’ve worked in each field of the transportation industry. I’ve been a truck driver for about 2-1/2 years. I love driving, seeing different states, and talking to others. Previously, I’ve worked in armed security and went to Northern Virginia Community College to study criminology. Trucking was my plan B, and my plan A was law enforcement.
How long have you been volunteering? What led to your initial desire to volunteer and serve others? What interested you in volunteering with Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services?
I’ve been volunteering with Fairfax for a little over a year. I volunteered for a high school event called Melee Till Midnight, a wrestling tournament. The event raises money for athletes who suffer from depression. I have always wanted to help people and have a talent for talking to people and helping them out. Even when I don’t initially have the words, I gain the words, and it’s a gift for me to be able to use them.
What is the most challenging part of volunteering? How did you overcome this challenge?
I’ve always been shy, and I still am. Volunteering with Fairfax County has helped me gain the confidence to talk to people and listen to their difficulties. Everyone needs someone to be able to help them and listen. That was honestly one of my biggest challenges, and not a lot of people know that, and for me to overcome that to help people is special.
What’s the best part of volunteering? Share your most memorable experience.
Honestly, since volunteering, there hasn't been just one memorable thing. It’s every event I’ve done and the different people I’ve communicated with. If I had to pick one, it would be volunteering at Joint Base Anacostia-Boiling in Washington, D.C. Overall, it was a fantastic event. There were a lot of people to talk to. People loved having us. Honestly, it was the least I felt like I could do for those who served our country. The reason why it was so memorable was because after we were done volunteering, we were able to take a tour of the museum. To be able to see some of the technology or gadgets used back then was nice. Toward the end of the tour, we learned the person who gave us the tour worked with John F. Kennedy. Seeing a picture of him and John F. Kennedy and hearing things firsthand was amazing!
What has been your favorite training? What did you like about it? What did you learn?
All the training I’ve received was necessary.
What are your three greatest strengths? How have you been able to display and use these strengths when serving others?
I think my three greatest strengths are the compassion with which I must listen to people's stories with care. Also, knowing there’s not much I can say or do but having compassion is one of my greatest strengths. Also, talking to people and having a quiet but relaxing personality are strengths.
What advice do you have for people who may be thinking about becoming DSVS volunteers?
You may not feel like you are doing enough, but people know you are out there to help them—friends, family, whatever the case is. The staff is fantastic and supportive, and it’s like a family. When volunteering, I always get a staff member who recognizes me and says, "Hey, weren’t you at this event?” Your connection may seem temporary, but it’s a lifetime connection. It will be scary at first, but the skills you carry on are lifelong.
What do you wish you could do more of as a volunteer?
I want to be able to help with more services. Whether it's on the hotline or hospital accompaniment, there’s more I want to do with DSVS. I also want to be able to help, maybe by scheduling events or expanding my outreach to high schoolers, because I know high school is a different atmosphere; there could be a lot of pressure and people may feel invisible.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I’m a big outdoors person. I love kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and spending time with my dog. After getting home from work, I watch TV.
This article posting is part of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Volunteer Voices monthly newsletter for current and potential volunteers. If you're not already a volunteer, learn how to get involved. Find out about upcoming trainings, volunteer trainings, happenings around the DSVS office and information about articles, books, media recommendations and more.
Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).