04/23/2026
During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to recognize, thank, and honor all of our dedicated Bridge Volunteers.
With flexibility and patience, our volunteers give Bridge and our clients their valuable time, skills, and often, their treasures, too.
Bridge would not be able to welcome and serve refugees to help them preserve their Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity without our volunteers' selfless service.
Today, from our Knoxville branch, we would like to introduce you to one of our valued and dedicated volunteers, Stella Ashong.
1. How long have you been volunteering with Bridge?
I have been volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services since September 2025.
2. What inspired you to start volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services?
I was inspired to volunteer with Bridge Refugee Services because of my academic training in sociology (criminology), which has shaped my interest in issues of migration, social justice, community integration and how social structures, inequality, and institutional processes affect marginalized populations, including those navigating displacement and resettlement. As a sociologist, I am particularly interested in how individuals and families rebuild their lives and adapt to new social environments after experiencing disruption. Bridge’s mission strongly resonates with both my scholarly interest and my personal commitment to service, and I saw volunteering as an opportunity to apply my academic knowledge in a meaningful way while also learning from the lived experiences of refugee communities.
3. What are some of the volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, and could you share a favorite memory or moment from your time with us?
During my time volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services, I have contributed to both administrative and direct service efforts, including assisting with data processing and recovery, organizing donated supplies and participating in food rescue initiatives by collecting surplus food from local restaurants and grocery stores for distribution to refugee families. These activities closely connect to my major in Sociology, particularly my focus on social inequality, institutional processes, and community reintegration. My work in criminology emphasizes how structural systems shape access to resources and inclusion, and volunteering with Bridge has allowed me to engage these issues in a practical context—supporting populations who often face marginalization and systemic barriers. One of my most meaningful experiences was participating in food rescue and distribution to families, given that these efforts had an immediate impact on their well-being, bringing relief and a sense of care to newly arrived families. This reinforced my understanding that addressing social harm and promoting stability—central concerns in criminology—often begins with meeting basic needs and fostering supportive community networks.
4. What is something you’ve learned about yourself, our local community, or the world while volunteering with Bridge?
Volunteering with Bridge has deepened my appreciation for resilience and the strength of individuals facing displacement. I have learned that integration is a complex process shaped not only by structural factors but also by everyday interactions and community support.
On a personal level, I have become more aware of the importance of patience, cultural humility, and active listening. I have also gained a deeper understanding of how local communities can play a vital role in fostering inclusion and belonging. This experience has reinforced my belief that meaningful social change happens not only through policy but also through relationships and shared humanity.
