Volunteering at A Brief Stop: Showing Up, Offering Dignity, Building Trust

What began as a simple idea is now a quiet lifeline for many in the community.

A Brief Stop, a discreet personal needs closet housed inside the Chelsea Senior Center, was championed by Executive Director Jennifer Smith. With support from the Washtenaw County Older Persons' Millage, along with grant funding and community donations, the idea became reality.

Smith initially reached out to Charlotte Bentley and Linda Devine, who had previous experience working at a diaper bank and could offer advice on how to structure the program that offers products to supplement adult needs. Charlotte and Linda worked to package products, organize shelves, and distribute supplies efficiently and respectfully. Their background helped create a strong, thoughtful foundation for the program.

The vision was intentional: allow family-focused diaper banks to concentrate on children, while creating a separate, welcoming space for adults located where adults already gather. Housing A Brief Stop at Chelsea Senior Center made access easier and reduced stigma. It placed support in a familiar, trusted environment.

A Brief Stop meets a need that people rarely talk about openly. Incontinence, whether age-related, medical, or temporary, often arrives without conversation or preparation and can be isolating. However, when a visitor walks through the door of A Brief Stop, the isolation lifts. Charlotte says, “It’s nice for people to know they are not in it alone. Lots of people deal with this. It’s no big deal. It’s just part of life.” A Brief Stop welcomes any adult regardless of income status or address. Chelsea Senior Center membership is not a requirement. 

A Brief Stop is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 - 2:00. The volunteer schedule is flexible and manageable. Charlotte works the morning on days she volunteers, and Linda picks up the afternoon, overlapping briefly to share lunch. Other volunteers choose to cover a full shift. “It’s not a very hard job to volunteer,” Charlotte says. “We try to make it as easy as possible.” The work includes greeting visitors, helping them find the right products, and organizing the many donations that continue to arrive. “We’ve been amazed by people’s generosity,” Linda says. “Every time I walk in, there’s more.” 

Volunteers help visitors navigate what can otherwise be an overwhelming process, offering suggestions and reassurance in a space where people feel comfortable asking questions. “It can be overwhelming walking into a store and trying to figure out what will work,” Linda explains. “People end up buying several packages just to find what they need.” That can be a big expense. However, at A Brief Stop, visitors can take home products to try and find what works best for them.  

Sometimes someone just needs a short-term supply, for example, while recovering from knee or hip surgery, when something as simple as getting up from a chair becomes a challenge. Other visitors return weekly or bi-weekly. Volunteers are flexible and responsive.

The work is simple but meaningful. Over time, relationships naturally form. Trust grows. One client began timing her visits to match Charlotte’s shift. “That made me feel good,” she said. “She feels comfortable now coming when I’m here.” It’s not just about supplies. It’s about rapport. It’s about knowing you won’t be judged.

That spirit mirrors the broader vision of Chelsea Senior Center, where they envision a world where all are valued, supported, and empowered as we age. “You can just come,” Charlotte said. “We’ll help you.” Programs here don’t just serve needs, they create connections.

What started as Jennifer Smith’s idea, supported by millage funding, grants, and generous donations, has grown into something deeply human. At A Brief Stop, volunteers do more than distribute supplies; they normalize a common life experience, preserve dignity, and quietly build community. They offer the steady reassurance that whatever stage of life you’re in, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Volunteering for A Breif Stop isn’t complicated. It’s simply about showing up, offering help, and building trust one brief conversation at a time.

Chelsea Senior Center (CSC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Chelsea, Michigan. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life and well-being for area seniors and their families.  Chelsea Senior Center is located at 512 Washington Street. Contact CSC at connected@chelseaseniors.org or (734) 475-9242.