There are not many opportunities for a father and a daughter to volunteer together, but that is what we have at MOWMP. Mohsen and Roeya Banuazizi, father and daughter and best of friends, have been volunteering with us for quite some time. For Roeya, after six and half years working on two national tours of Hamilton she was looking to reconnect with her community. Mohsen, a retired architect in the Bay Area since the early 70’s was also looking for an opportunity to volunteer
When Roeya mentioned she was going to start volunteering, Mohsen said he was as well. Food is their love language, so it was fitting they chose MOWMP, independently. When asked about their experiences volunteering, their overwhelming response has been, “The experiences have exceeded our expectations. The team is gracious, caring, thoughtful, kindhearted, and fun!” To be around the staff and volunteers uplifts them and gives them a sense of pride to be a small part of this amazing organization.
Their advice to a person thinking about volunteering is to join the ranks of the MOWMP volunteers. You will be greeted with open hearts and minds and welcomed into a generous community space. Once they came through the doors, They knew they were going to be part of an amazing community-minded and empowering organization that thrives on giving and uplifting our neighbors. They have become part of a team that works together for the greater good.
On their first day of volunteering, they were in the kitchen on the assembly hotline. It can be a bit daunting and a bit frightening to keep up. It is reminiscent of the I Love Lucy chocolate factory scene! As Roeya describes it, “The adrenaline kicked in to keep pace with the orchestrated choreography; we found our groove and it was a thrilling experience.” Mohsen has become proficient at labeling as well as assembly. Roeya also works the food line and fills in with the inner office answering phones and driver questions.
When someone asked Mohsen, as an architect, “What have you built?” His response was, “Most of Silicon Valley”! Apart from his extensive career, he is an avid gardener and a very adventurous grandfather with his two grandsons. He also has been an active volunteer with the Bach Festival. Roeya has been a theatrical company manager since the mid-90s both domestically and internationally. Her additional volunteer opportunities are being a Carmel Chamber Ambassador and being a substitute teacher for the Carmel School System.
We are very grateful that independently of each other, they both chose to volunteer and have found their home with MOWMP!
