Are you a business owner in Greenville that is giving back in our time of need? Or do you frequently visit a business that could find themselves in a financial hardship, but one that continues to serve, due to COVID-19? Please, let us know: hello@sharegvl.org.
Starting Thursday, ShareGVL will be offering free publicity to those small-to-medium-sized businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
And now, today’s story brought to you by Curations
By: Wyatt E. Stephens
Name: Catriona Carlisle
How long have you been in the Greenville area? It will be twenty-eight years in April.
What is your background? I was born in Richmond, Virginia, and this [Richmond] is where I had my first memories. But around the age of six, my family and I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where I would grow up and even work in Charlotte after college, working at Presbyterian Hospital. After working in Charlotte for a couple of years, Parker [husband] and I relocated here to Greenville.
Since I was young, I have always wanted to go into the field of Hospital Administration. My father was a physician and being in a hospital setting was very comfortable; it was normal to be in a hospital but I do understand that not everyone spent as much time as I did at hospitals, nor even stepped foot in one.
As there were not many Greenville opportunities in hospital administration, I decided to work with my mother-in-law as she and her family owned a small business. During this time, I would start to volunteer with the St. Francis [Bon Secours] Foundation and really enjoyed our events while helping raise money, money that made a difference, was very special to have.
Working for a nonprofit is not for everyone but it has been the greatest thing of my life and of my family’s lives. When you serve others, you will walk away with stories, you walk away with pain but make sure that you allow yourself to rest and decompress. Make sure that you value yourself as an individual, an individual that works hard to make a difference in the community.
Parker and I have a daughter, Delaney, she is a sophomore at the College of Charleston and a son, John, who is at League Academy.
What is the most interesting fact about yourself? I can juggle, not a lot of people know this. I am also an extrovert but I very much love to be at home, I am a homebody; an introvert.
What are you currently reading and/or watching? I am waiting for OZARK to start back on Netflix.
What are your hobbies? I do not want to say that, ‘I love to run,’ but I can say running is a hobby: I run with a group early in the mornings. Being outside, doing yard work and so forth: I love being active.
What phrase do you try to live by? In the mornings, I try to ask myself, ‘What can I do to make someone’s day better?’
How would you describe Greenville? It has been a city that has welcomed me with open-arms. I could never have imagined, twenty-years ago, that I would be doing what I am doing. We are a community that embraces everyone wholeheartedly.
How would Greenville describe you? Oh gosh. Hmm...I would say passionate about wanting to serve Greenville, our vulnerable population. Others might say that I am loud [laughs].
Where is your favorite Greenville morning hangout? Coffee Underground, especially after a run. Lately, I would say the Flying Biscuit Cafe - they have amazing grits that keep calling me back.
What is your favorite Greenville evening hangout? I live near Universal Joint, and I am ‘likely’ at Universal Joint way too often. There are also other places within walking distance that I enjoy: Moe’s BBQ and Community Tap.
Who do you work for? Your title? I work for Meals on Wheels in Greenville, my title is ‘Executive Director.’
What is your day-to-day? It differs, I lead visions and teams; a lot of interaction with volunteers and stakeholders throughout the Greenville Community. My day-to-day is not the same which makes my role interesting. I also love the dynamics of not having a ‘typical day’ as I don’t dread going into work.
Tell us more about Meals on Wheels…
The greatest thing about Meals on Wheels are the clients that we serve; I try to serve a minimum of once a week. We are making a difference with the greatest volunteers. Being able to engage with our volunteers and our clients is one of the greatest gifts; seeing those relationships strengthen.
We use about 150 volunteers a day. I understand that life happens, but we still do need more volunteers to take care of our routes throughout Greenville County. We rely on our volunteers, but if volunteers callout, we are going to make sure that our clients are going to get their meal. We won’t stop short for our clients.
Meals on Wheels is also unique: we serve any individual, regardless of background, age and so-forth, that needs help within Greenville.