Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara Blackstone
Restraining Order Advocate – Home Free
Barbara Blackstone grew up in a generation that believed a college-educated woman should get married, start a family, and volunteer. But Barbara has never fit that mold and is redefining volunteerism as one of a growing number of skilled professional volunteers.
Barbara had a deeply personal introduction to the issue of domestic violence. While in a rocky relationship with a past partner, she got a job in another state. When she told him she was going alone, he choked her.
“Unlike a lot of women,” Barbara recalls, “I was able to leave because I had financial resources and friends to stay with. I understood afterwards how abusive he had been, and I felt that one day I would have the opportunity to give back.” She went on to a career as director of Minnesota’s Office of Dispute Resolution and then moved to Portland where she now teaches at Marylhurst University and runs her own consulting business.
She also joined local choir Aurora Chorus and began serving on its board. When the Chorus’ board chose Home Free as their community partner, Barbara’s life came full circle. She found her place volunteering to assist survivors filing petitions in Multnomah County Courthouse’s Restraining Order Room – a position with the flexibility she needed.
“The women are so happy to have someone who knows the process and the system,” reflects Barbara. “One was a professional woman who knew about abuse, but didn’t consider herself a victim.” Barbara helped her put aside her misgivings about whether she belonged in the same room with other women who seemed to be in greater need. She later sent Barbara a heart-felt thank you note and forwarded a copy to mayor Sam Adams.
“It is tremendously helpful to be able to rely on Barbara,” shares Jen McKenzie, Home Free’s Volunteer Coordinator. “She has a warmth and patience that survivors of all ages really connect with. I’ve been very impressed at the wonderful way she truly takes the time to view and respond to each person as though they are the only one in the room.”
When Home Free developed a new position for volunteers to accompany survivors to restraining order hearings, Barbara was a clear and willing fit, and with her advocacy skills, unsurprisingly excelled at it.
Barbara has also hosted tables at Home Free’s fundraisers, is instrumental in sustaining our unique and powerful partnership with Aurora Chorus, and spreads awareness of domestic violence and Home Free’s services wherever she goes. She thinks of herself as the caring grandmother to younger volunteers and brings that presence to her work.
“I’ve seen so much, it doesn’t rattle me,” Barbara admits. “I have good boundaries for myself and I don’t take on the issues the other person has.” Other volunteers often express interest in the books she reads to make her women’s studies courses more effective. “Women moving into the work world ask themselves what it means to be powerful. True power is being able to influence and make decisions for what you want from life. It’s a new way of thinking.”
“I met Barbara at volunteer training and was very impressed with her personable approach to everyone. She has a great sense of humor and is a wealth of information,” shares a fellow volunteer.
Barbara now considers herself semi-retired, focusing on the sisterhood she has found and sustains through teaching, singing, and supporting others at Home Free find who they are. “It’s a fascinating world,” Barbara muses. “We can’t sit down and do nothing. Find something you’re passionate about and do it.”
“Barbara Blackstone is the ‘find’ of the decade,” raves Kris Billhardt, Home Free’s Program Director. “She has been an amazing supporter of our work in her words AND her deeds. I appreciate Barbara deeply and loudly!”
Thank you, Barbara, for your 150 hours of consistent, grounded, and compassionate service over the last year!
By Nancy Loso, VISTA Volunteer Resources Coordinator