Home, sweet home

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The sunrise comes too quickly and the bench that once served as a bed is no longer safe to sleep on. It is time to start the long day searching for a place that can provide shelter from the thunderstorms.

A bag of rolls a passerby imparted is gone and the hunger pains begin to settle it; thoughts of where the closest soup kitchen create a wave of worry. Walking on tired feet, concerned about the next meal and a safe place to rest, there is a park 10 miles away near a shelter.

This is the reality for some homeless in communities across the globe.
One Liberty Wing Airman volunteers her free time to help improve the quality of life for those in need.

“After my parents divorced, my dad essentially became homeless,” said Tech. Sgt. Sheila Titus, a manpower analyst assigned to the 48th Force Support Squadron. “He lived in his car and stayed at a few shelters. It helped me to never take for granted how much I am truly blessed.”

Before being impacted by homelessness of a loved one, Titus discovered her passion for volunteering at a young age.

“My mom used to take me to nursing homes and sing hymns for the residents,” Titus said.

Transitioning from a support role to action, she dedicates her efforts to influencing and motivating others to make a difference. Titus’ efforts help volunteers recognize the importance of lifting others up during difficult times.

Undeterred by the lack of precedence, she set out to create a base-wide volunteer project to support a local shelter.

“I made a list of every homeless organization within a five-hour radius and started calling around to see what they needed,” Titus said “To my knowledge, none of the volunteer work that I had heard of or participated in during my years at Lakenheath had anything to do with homeless shelters, so I wanted to start one.”

Titus currently directs a project that entails assembling volunteers from the Liberty Wing and gathering necessary provisions for the shelter.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Titus aims to help any way she can. With a positive role model, and guidance from a first sergeant, Titus is inspired to lend a helping hand.

“I was blessed to have an amazing stand-in first sergeant,” Titus said. “He would set up tons of things with the local food bank and Operation Warm Heart and it has always stuck with me.”

According to Titus, her volunteerism during her early military career gave her joy and affected her even more as a noncommissioned officer. She is committed to encouraging and mentoring Airmen to volunteer. Volunteering impacts those giving their time, just as it affects those being helped.

“I chose to volunteer because helping those who have found themselves without a safe place to live is close to my heart,” said Tech. Sgt. Allison Franklin, 48th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of retentions. “It is a good chance to help people in need by doing them a service.”

Past efforts of Liberty Wing Airmen include facility painting, moving furniture and beautification projects that help improve the quality of life for shelter residents.

The opportunity Titus has provided Airmen who volunteer supplies a lesson from these experiences in their professional and personal lives: to aid in their ability not only to execute their missions, but also to do so with a larger sense of community in mind.

“This was truly one of the most amazing and eye-opening experiences of my life,” Franklin said. “It has inspired me to take every opportunity available to help those struggling to get out of homelessness and get back on their feet.”

Volunteer efforts demonstrate the character of Liberty Wing Airmen and their commitment to the community.