Introducing Tom McDonald, Drop-in Supervisor

Where are you from?  What did you do before working at the Vineyard?

I am from the United States.  I grew up in Connecticut and lived in NYC and New Jersey for many years before moving to London 16 years ago.  I have worked for many years with homeless charities and churches in both NYC and London including supporting guests in a chaplaincy role with Growth Winter Night Shelter before coming to work at the Vineyard.  In my spare time I like to run and take long walks as well as write and I love food and good coffee.

When did you start working at the Vineyard, what made you want to join the team in this role?

I started working at the Vineyard in April 2021 right when the Growth Winter Night Shelter was winding down for the season.  I visited the Vineyard Community one day before I started working here and I really enjoyed the environment and the work that the Vineyard does.  I have been working with homeless charities for many years and I really liked the feel of this place when I walked in for the first time.  I also like the fact that it is a Christian charity where there is a strong belief in and regular prayer support for the staff, volunteers, and guests.

What do you do day to day?

I work as the Drop-in Supervisor of the morning drop-in service.  I help oversee the morning drop-in, welcome guests, link guests to our partner services and case workers, support volunteers and try to assure the smooth running of the service.  I also maintain and keep our daily attendance and guest database updated each day.

What has been your proudest moment in your role so far?

There have been many moments over the past year where I have had really great conversations with guests. I love when different guests have come through a difficult situation and are supported off the streets and into accommodation by the help of our caseworkers.  Just being a part of this every day and working alongside the partner agencies and our caseworkers, and seeing the many good outcomes happen, have made me feel proud of being a part of this organisation.

If you had to say, what motivates you most to do this job?

What motivates me to do this job as well as the thing that motivates me in every area of my life is my faith in Jesus.  I find strength and motivation in prayer and reading the Bible and have always been inspired by my Christian faith in doing the work that I have been involved in for most of my life (and currently in my role with the Vineyard).  I have always been inspired by the words of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel chapter 4:18 where Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”  This verse is what first inspired me to get in this work many years ago and it still does today in my current role with the Vineyard.