Volunteer Spotlight - Jamie / Michelle

Jamie Ross is an innovative Los Angeles local with over 10+ years in development experience. She has worked on a plethora of creative design projects throughout Southern California and has supported her community through involvement with numerous nonprofit organizations. In addition to being a mother of three, she is a serving board member of Piece by Piece. 

Michelle Kelrick, daughter of our founder Sophie Alpert, has extensive experience in the nonprofit and educational sectors. From teaching fourth grade in the South Bronx for several years, to teaching English Language Arts at the Gabriella Charter School where she now serves on the Board of Directors, Michelle deeply understands the importance of learning. As a trained classical pianist, she is no stranger to the creative arts, which she believes can empower people by giving them a voice. She notes the immense value of engaging with the arts in eliciting creativity, cultivating technical skills, and connecting people of all cultures and walks-of-life. With degrees in Psychology and Education, Michelle combines an understanding of the inner motivations and needs of individuals with the external elements and organizational resources necessary for their flourishing. Also a mother of three, she is a serving board member of Piece by Piece.

Jamie and Michelle recently contributed to the needs of our community through volunteering at the Piece by Piece studio. Their efforts supported holiday inventory needs, cutting the materials necessary for producing new art in a box kits.  This needed volunteer work, frees up our artisans to focus on more intricate work, such as custom commissions.  By helping with the underlying necessities, volunteers enable our artisans to earn income for themselves and their families.

With a brief demonstration of the activities and review of safety resources by our team, Jamie and Michelle dived into the activity with enthusiasm. After putting on safety goggles, nitrile gloves, and taking up wheeled nippers, Jamie and Michelle collected large pieces of donated materials ready to be cut. Jamie notes how the straightforward (and therapeutic) nature of piece cutting makes it a great opportunity to socialize, suggesting prospective volunteers bring a friend or group. Michelle notes that the social atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with the workshop-tables organized for efficiency and volunteer comfort. Jamie found the workshop setting to be cool and spacious, facilitating comfort and connection with other volunteers and artisans alike.

Michelle recalls an experience from her time at the beginning of Piece by Piece, around 18 years ago when her mother founded our organization. At the Broadway Village, Michelle met a beautiful family with two little girls participating in the Piece by Piece community workshop. Her and the family started working on the welcome sign together, each contributing a unique portion, socializing and according creative energy to the sign as a team. To this day, the welcome sign hangs at Piece by Piece studios with their contributions intact, serving as a testament to the spirit of learning and the redemptive resilience found in creative expression. In addition to her part of the sign, Michelle remembers the joyful family she worked alongside whose effort and enthusiasm is still seen in many of the volunteers and participants at Piece by Piece today.

“As board members and volunteers alike, Jamie and Michelle exemplify the spirit of compassion  central to Piece by Piece’s mission. Their sincere willingness to take action for the benefit of others is an example to every volunteer. Both in Piece by Piece and other nonprofit organizations, they have served their communities extensively over many years. They truly care about giving people access to a better life, regardless of where they come from. We are truly fortunate to have them on our team!” says Amir A., Volunteer Coordinator at Piece by Piece. 

Through access to artistic resources, technical guidance, and the opportunity of creative expression, individuals continue to find their voice and become empowered at Piece by Piece. In regard to the future, Michelle expresses the need to grow while continuing to stay true to Piece by Piece’s mission. Growth is needed to widen the reach and deepen the impact of our existing efforts, but it is only in keeping true to the selfless mission of empowerment for each artisan that our community will continue to flourish and expand. 

If you would like to volunteer as an individual or group, sign-up on our Get Involved page today or email Amir@piecebypiece.org with any questions!