Volunteer draws from experience to help Tamayo House residents
By CATHY BUSSEWITZ THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Louis Hopfer believes that people who succeed in life are those who have the courage to make major changes.
Louis Hopfer, volunteer at Tamayo House for Social Advocates for Youth. (Kent Porter / PD)
Hopfer has seen his share of change, having moved across the country on the back of a motorcycle as a young adult; transformed his career from motorcycle shop owner to lawyer to teacher and back to lawyer again; and married, raised two sons, divorced and fallen in love again.
And now, Hopfer, 63, is channeling the life lessons he learned, and the stories he collected along the way, into his pursuit of helping young adults improve their lives.
Hopfer volunteers at Tamayo House, a residence in Santa Rosa run by Social Advocates for Youth, where about two dozen young adults rent rooms and live together in an environment designed to ease the transition from foster care or homelessness to life as an independent adult.
“The design is to be a residence,” Hopfer said. “You pay rent, but there are rules. The idea is to learn certain skills. Come to the meetings, pay rent.”
Hopfer began volunteering at Tamayo House nearly two years ago. He was involved in other volunteer projects, but wanted to do something more personal. And he knows that to make a lasting impact takes time, so he’s been showing up at Tamayo House for several hours a week for nearly two years.
“I want to be everyone’s friend,” Hopfer said. “In the first month, I came in and I just said, ‘Hi.’ It took me about two months until I got people to talk to me . . . . People realized I was sticking around.”
Aside from teaching residents, ages 18-25, about personal finance, and trying to convince the young adults to drink less soda, Hopfer’s main focus is to be a friend.
“The best way to describe him is like a mentor, in a way,” said Frances Welch, facility monitor, who lives at Tamayo House. “He’s just really good with interacting with the age group we have. He has a lot of life experience and he’s trying to share it with everyone in a really positive manner.”
Hopfer has big ideas. And he also knows his own limitations. He posts his phone number on a whiteboard in the complex, so the residents can call if they need any kind of help. When he wanted to help the youth enjoy their outdoor space, he brought a barbecue for the yard. But he drew the line at tending a garden.
“It needs an adult who will be here regularly,” Hopfer said of the green space. “I don’t have a black thumb, but I don’t have a green thumb.”
Just as he chooses how he gives to the youth, Hopfer aims to teach them that even when life presents challenges, there are alternatives and choices.
“Because I touched so many different facets of life, I can find metaphors to explain a point,” Hopfer said. “If I can give them a sense of direction and help them find what they like — what is it you want to be? . . . I feel good just for that moment when I can take the decision away and be their friend.”
You can reach Staff Writer Cathy Bussewitz at 521-5276 or cathy.bussewitz@pressdemocrat.com.
Sharing life’s lessons
Volunteer draws from experience to help Tamayo House residents
By CATHY BUSSEWITZ
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Louis Hopfer believes that people who succeed in life are those who have the courage to make major changes.
Louis Hopfer, volunteer at Tamayo House for Social Advocates for Youth. (Kent Porter / PD)
And now, Hopfer, 63, is channeling the life lessons he learned, and the stories he collected along the way, into his pursuit of helping young adults improve their lives.
Hopfer volunteers at Tamayo House, a residence in Santa Rosa run by Social Advocates for Youth, where about two dozen young adults rent rooms and live together in an environment designed to ease the transition from foster care or homelessness to life as an independent adult.
“The design is to be a residence,” Hopfer said. “You pay rent, but there are rules. The idea is to learn certain skills. Come to the meetings, pay rent.”
Hopfer began volunteering at Tamayo House nearly two years ago. He was involved in other volunteer projects, but wanted to do something more personal. And he knows that to make a lasting impact takes time, so he’s been showing up at Tamayo House for several hours a week for nearly two years.
“I want to be everyone’s friend,” Hopfer said. “In the first month, I came in and I just said, ‘Hi.’ It took me about two months until I got people to talk to me . . . . People realized I was sticking around.”
Aside from teaching residents, ages 18-25, about personal finance, and trying to convince the young adults to drink less soda, Hopfer’s main focus is to be a friend.
“The best way to describe him is like a mentor, in a way,” said Frances Welch, facility monitor, who lives at Tamayo House. “He’s just really good with interacting with the age group we have. He has a lot of life experience and he’s trying to share it with everyone in a really positive manner.”
Hopfer has big ideas. And he also knows his own limitations. He posts his phone number on a whiteboard in the complex, so the residents can call if they need any kind of help. When he wanted to help the youth enjoy their outdoor space, he brought a barbecue for the yard. But he drew the line at tending a garden.
“It needs an adult who will be here regularly,” Hopfer said of the green space. “I don’t have a black thumb, but I don’t have a green thumb.”
Just as he chooses how he gives to the youth, Hopfer aims to teach them that even when life presents challenges, there are alternatives and choices.
“Because I touched so many different facets of life, I can find metaphors to explain a point,” Hopfer said. “If I can give them a sense of direction and help them find what they like — what is it you want to be? . . . I feel good just for that moment when I can take the decision away and be their friend.”
You can reach Staff Writer Cathy Bussewitz at 521-5276 or cathy.bussewitz@pressdemocrat.com.