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Teen Sisters Make Room For Others

Tribune photo by JAMIE PILARCZYK

Kelsey, left, and Madison Rafols are organizing items available to mothers at Alpha House.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: March 18, 2009

TAMPA - When challenged to accrue volunteer hours, sisters Kelsey and Madison Rafols thought of what they do best.

"Shopping," said the Academy of the Holy Names students.

In December, while wrapping gifts at the Alpha House of Tampa, the sisters asked program staff members what could be most useful at the home for pregnant women and their families.

One look at the closet, which has everything from baby bottles to work clothes, and the girls were able to match their passion for fashion with a service project they could own.

"These are girls that are roughly our age that can't just go to the mall," said Madison, 14. "They had this store, but we wanted to make them feel more at home, and it to have a boutique-type look."

The project also offered the challenge of a higher commitment for which the two were searching. They said they didn't want just to participate in an established program or a project to accumulate hours.

"How many times do girls our age get to start something on our own?" said Madison, a freshman.

The large room at the Alpha House, 201 S. Tampania Ave., holds all the donations received by the nonprofit endeavor. Residents earn points that they can spend at the store on items for themselves or their children.

"Most come with barely any belongings, and sometimes they show up at our door without having any shoes at all," said Cathi Hardesty, director of development.

"Our teenagers can get school supplies and backpacks," she said. "We have clothing, diapers and toys for our infants and toddlers. Families that live in our transitional housing program can get household items and linen. We even have career wear for those women who are trying to find a job in the community."

The only issue was that items were hard to find. So the Rafols are organizing the room. Along with their parents, Jose and Zoe Rafols, and Alpha House volunteers Amanda and Brady Wright, they have painted the room a light blue with a brown border. Jose Rafols installed shelving and is looking for a donor to help redo the floor.

Everyone has pitched in to organize items by size and purpose. They held a garage sale that raised more than $500 for the project. The sisters plan to volunteer on weekends as personal shoppers for the residents in this new boutique.

"Doing all of this has been an amazing experience," said Kelsey, 16, a junior. "I like coming here and seeing the women who you wouldn't know have all the troubles they are going through because they are always happy."

Even when their friends are running off to the movies or the mall, the Rafols sisters say heading to the Alpha House doesn't give them a second thought.

"A lot of people don't think we have a life because we're here every weekend, but our parents taught us to be open to help anyone in need," Madison said. "When there is a dark cloud in my life, this puts it in perspective and I think of the blessings that I have."

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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