At The WARM Place, we are fortunate to have an amazing team of volunteers who support our mission in so many meaningful ways. While our facilitators guide families through their grief journeys, we also rely heavily on our dedicated houseparents who do it all behind the scenes. From greeting families at the door to handling the dishes after our nightly potluck, our houseparents take on countless tasks to ensure our families can focus on what truly matters—connecting, healing, and finding comfort. Today, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our exceptional houseparents, Collin Britton. Collin’s unwavering support and selflessness have made a lasting impact on the families we serve, and we are so grateful for all the love and care he brings to The WARM Place.
For those that don’t know you, what is your connection to TWP and how did you first get involved?
I had been looking for multiple volunteer opportunities in the fall of last year to help keep me active, engaged, and out of the apartment during my career transition. My closest friend in the DFW metroplex currently works at The WARM Place and had encouraged me to volunteer during her group night, so I thought this would be a great opportunity in the sense that we would be giving back together. That’s how I got my start volunteering at TWP and have been active ever since October of last year!
You are one of three male houseparents that we have volunteer, what would you say to another male thinking about getting involved in this capacity?
I would say to any other males that like working with their hands and want to get involved in this kind of volunteer work, they should definitely apply. I find preparing, tidying up, and cleaning up the kitchen/dining space a meditative practice to refocus my mind during periods in my day-to-day where there’s a lot going on. There’s also this sense of fulfillment that comes with the work you do when the families and staff recognize the time you put in and thank you for your commitment. So, whether you’re male or female, being a houseparent is for anyone. If you want that kind of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with giving back and making an impact, you should join and become a houseparent!
Do you have a personal experience that helps you connect with our mission?
I see a connection to the mission through my mother. Her own parents, of health-related issues and age, along with her brother, without warning, passed away within the last 5 years. What I find interesting about this is that my mom works in a funeral home where she meets all kinds of families with different stories about the passing of a loved one. And with that, she can help families during those difficult times by
aligning her own experiences with losing some of her closest family members. I find it comforting to know that there are counseling services out there for children and families to process their own grief. I think that’s why I have an easy time connecting with the mission of The WARM Place, because of how prevalent death has been in my family.
Do you have any words of wisdom to encourage others to share their time and volunteer at TWP?
One thing I can say regarding the environment of The WARM Place is that it is homely. The entire building is one massive house! There is an essence of community because we are opening our doors to everyone and gathering under one roof. So, if you’re looking for that home away from home environment, and sharing your impact with others in that space, then The WARM Place is definitely for you!
