Sometimes, the path that leads us to meaningful work is more personal than we ever imagined.
For St. John’s Ministries’ Guest Services Coordinator, the mission of St. John’s Ministries has been part of her life for much longer than her time as an employee. During its early years, Hilary’s father was a guest at St. John’s Men’s Shelter and relied on the shelter for a safe place to stay during some of the most difficult times in his life.
Today, it has come full circle—Hilary serves as one of the welcoming faces for individuals who walk through our doors, often on one of the most difficult days of their lives. Through compassion, respect, and a genuine desire to help, Hilary ensures every guest feels seen, supported, and valued.
We recently sat down with Hilary to learn more about her journey to St. John’s Ministries, the relationships she has built with our guests, and why she believes one of the most important things we can do is see the person first.
Q: What did you do prior to coming to work at St. John’s Ministries?
“I’ve always worked with people in some capacity throughout my career. Prior to coming to St. John’s Ministries, my most recent role was in Human Resources. While I gained valuable experience in that position, I eventually realized that it wasn’t where my passion was. I wanted to do work that felt more meaningful and purposeful—work where I could make a difference in people’s lives and feel like I was contributing to my community”
Q: What drew you to St. John’s Ministries?
“My connection to St. John’s Ministries is very personal. My dad experienced homelessness for most of my life and was a guest at St. John’s Men’s Shelter during its formative years. There were many nights when he would have been out in the cold if the gym at the church had not been open to provide a safe place for people experiencing homelessness. He passed away several years ago, but those experiences have stayed with me. I have always had a soft spot for St. John’s Ministries and for people in our community experiencing homelessness.
When the opportunity came to work here, it felt like more than just a job. It was an opportunity to be part of an organization that had once helped my dad and to give back to the community in a way that has deep personal meaning to me. I wanted to be someone who could offer the same compassion, dignity, and support to someone else that my dad received during some very difficult times in his life. Accepting this role has allowed me to turn something very personal in my life into an opportunity to help others.”
Q: Can you describe your role at St. John’s Ministries?
“As the Guest Services Coordinator at St. John’s Ministries, I am often the first person someone sees when they walk through our doors—sometimes on what may be one of the worst days of their life.
I provide immediate assistance and supplies, triage their needs, connect them with case managers, and give them information about other agencies and resources in the community. My goal is to be a welcoming, smiling face while also maintaining appropriate boundaries and creating a safe, organized environment. Ultimately, I want every person who walks through our doors to feel seen, respected, and supported—and to leave knowing that someone is willing to help them take the next step.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about your role?
“I love getting to work with all of our guests and getting to know them. I really enjoy the relationships that develop over time and getting to know people beyond whatever brought them through our doors that day. Every person has their own story, personality, strengths, and challenges, and I feel fortunate that my role allows me to interact with so many different people. Some of the most rewarding moments are when a guest who may have come in having a really difficult day leaves with a smile and feels a little less alone.
I love being part of a team of people who genuinely care about our guests and who are willing to go above and beyond to help them. There is a real sense of purpose in the work we do. I also appreciate that no two days are the same. Every day brings different people, different challenges, and different opportunities to help someone. I’ve learned that sometimes something that may seem small to us can mean a lot to someone who is struggling.”
Q: Have you learned anything about homelessness or the individuals experiencing homelessness during your time with St. John’s Ministries?
“Absolutely. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that homelessness does not define a person. Before working at St. John’s Ministries, I understood that homelessness could happen to anyone, but getting to know our guests has really put that into perspective for me. Everyone has a story, and there are often circumstances and challenges that you would never know just by looking at someone.
I’ve also learned how important it is to listen without judgment. Sometimes people don’t immediately need a solution—they need someone to listen to them, treat them with dignity, and remind them that they matter. The relationships I’ve built with our guests have taught me to look beyond the circumstances someone is in and see the person first.”
Q: How do you bring joy to the individuals we serve?
“I hope that one day we can somehow solve the homelessness crisis in our communities, but I also understand that this is not something that is going to happen tomorrow. Until then, I show up every day with one expectation: to help our guests in whatever way I can, to the best of my abilities, and hopefully ease some of their burdens and add a little bit of joy to their day. We try to create opportunities for our guests to celebrate and experience things that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to do.
Our monthly birthday celebrations give us a chance to celebrate our guests and let them know that their birthdays matter and that they matter to us. We also recently took some of our guests on a tour of Lambeau Field. For many of them, it was a really special experience. Some had lived in Green Bay their entire lives but had never had the opportunity to step inside Lambeau Field. Being able to give them that experience and see their excitement was incredibly rewarding.
I think sometimes bringing joy doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as celebrating someone, creating a positive experience, or giving them something to look forward to. If we can make someone’s day a little brighter or give them a moment where they can forget about their struggles and simply enjoy themselves, then I feel like we’ve done something meaningful.”
Q: How can the community support those we serve?
We can always use donations and new volunteers, and both are incredibly important to what we do. But honestly, I think what our guests need most is more compassion and understanding. The people who are already involved with St. John’s and our mission understand that our guests are people first. I would encourage everyone in our community to approach homelessness with that same mindset. Instead of making assumptions about someone based on their circumstances, take a moment to remember that you don’t know their story. Of course, donating, volunteering, or supporting St. John’s financially are tangible ways to help but showing compassion, treating people with dignity, and being willing to see the person rather than just the word “homeless” can make a tremendous difference too. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can give someone is the feeling that they are seen, heard, and valued.
Want to Make a Difference?
Donate: You can visit our Ways to Give page to make a gift today, or learn more about specific areas of funding by contacting our Director of Development, Amy McNeely at amcneely@stjohnsgreenbay.org | (920) 617-8716.
Volunteer: St. John’s Ministries welcomes new volunteers throughout the year. Whether sorting donations, serving meals, or simply offering a warm smile, every act of service helps lift our neighbors and strengthen our community. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit or volunteer page or contact Volunteer Coordinator, Brooke Graham at bgraham@stjohnsgreenbay.org.
