My name is Michael Norris, a Phoenix “snow-bird”!  I also live in the town where I was born: Des Plaines (Dez Planes) a north-west suburb of Chicago.

For as long as I can remember, automobiles have been my one great “passion”, teaching myself, long ago, how to “detail” them! By ten years of age, I was detailing cars all summer long! By sixteen, I was attending school, working part-time, and cleaning cars year round. At forty-five, I [semi] retired and began my snow-birding.

After the death of my partner of 36 years,  I was in grief counseling, and my counselor

mentioned the 1Voice center. I stopped in at 1Voice and while there I inquired into volunteer opportunities. I thought it would be a good place to meet other gay men, get to know the community better and help others.

My partner and I had an interior design business in New York City and in North Carolina and Kitchen Designe in Leesburg, Va.

My partner had shown dogs and was interested in showing cats. We learned of a breed, Japanese Bobtails, and we both fell in love, so I bought our first for my partner’s birthday. We became one of the foremost breeders of Japanese Bobtails.   Our cats achieved many national and regional awards and hold records in the Cat Fancier’s Association.   I became a cat judge, for the last 20 years I have traveled the world judging cats, visiting 25 countries together.

I plan to continue volunteering at One Voice. My hope is that I can make a difference in just one person’s life.   I have so much to be thankful for and want to share it with others.

Seth Frazier has been a volunteer at 1Voice for nearly two years. He was a 2011 and 2012 Equality walker, is a Novice Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, and likes to stay very active in the community.

Seth moved to phoenix in the spring of 2011 from his home town of Las Cruces, NM after years of battling HIV/AIDS. Phoenix has been a great fresh start for him, and he is now pursuing a new career in visual merchandising.

After a busy and fulfilling corporate career working in technology, I was fortunate to retire early and redirect my energy in pursuit of continual enrichment, learning, and giving back to society.

My husband Eric and I moved to Phoenix in 2002 after a work assignment in Philadelphia. We enjoy our home base in the valley, never having to shovel snow, and blue skies.

In addition to a being avid foodies and cooks, we greatly enjoy the arts, reading, exersize,the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and mostly especially foreign travel.  I have visited nearly 70 countries on my goal for 100+.

I am grateful for all that I have enjoyed in my life and hope to continue to “pay it forward” for continued good luck.

Special thanks to all my colleagues and patrons at 1Voice that continue to help me learn what life is about.

I was asked by a friend if he should volunteer at 1Voice, my answer was yes. After a week as a volunteer he then recruited me to fix computers in the cyber center and offices.

He asked me if he should take on the coordinator position and I said ‘yes you should it will be a change’. Little did I know that I would also be a part of something great; the ideas, volunteers, and the patrons.  I could not ask for a better place to volunteer, the combination of different personalities in the center: the volunteers who will flash dance, answer the phones, sit and talk with the patrons, help with events is a rewarding and enriching experience.

I have volunteered for many places working with youth, contract compliance and a transitional living facility teaching and mentoring youth. 1Voice has opened my eyes to new possibilities and I look forward to helping the center move forward. There are many opportunities at 1Voice and I am proud to say I have found a place that accepts me for who I am. Thank you for allowing me to grow with 1Voice Community Center.

Searching the web for a writers group I happened onto 1Voice, attended the group and visited the center for the first time. Viewing the 1Voice web site, I learned of the volunteer opportunities.  I joined 1Voice, bought a tee shirt and I was on my way. I was excited at the prospect of being part of the 1Voice family as I had been looking to get more involved with the community.

Born in Chicago I moved here in 2002 and retired so I could spend time with my mother who had a stroke in 1995. I had been working at Cook County Hospital and attending Lewis University to finish my BSN. I’m a 75 yo TG and am proud to be part of the gay community and happy that our community is doing well and getting more respect than it did years ago.

I was drawn to 1Voice because I was in search of LGBT resources and to further connect with the LGBT community in the valley.

I remain a volunteer because I wish to keep assisting, helping and gain experience in my goal as a professional community outreach specialist, and fundraiser.

I have been an activist and volunteered most of my adult life.  I was a performer and I enjoy interacting with people.  I look forward to working for LGBT nonprofits.

Dave Moreau is originally from Toledo, OH and migrated to Phoenix in 1996. He is self employed computer technician and author as well as an ordained minister. He began using the 1Voice Community Center in 2012 for the support groups and cyber center. In February of 2013, he began volunteering at the center.

Currently, Dave is writing a book on paganism as well as forming a web-hosting company. His hobbies including working on antique cars, hand crafts, graphic design and page layout.

Hello I’m Monica. I recently moved here from California to take care of my father. Before moving to Arizona, I graduated from Cal State Long Beach and was a special needs teacher.

I kind of stumbled across 1Voice by accident about a year ago, while waiting for my father to have his procedure.  I’ve been volunteering at the Center ever since. I have two miniature dachshunds, Max and Bela, that round out my family. I’d love to meet you. Please stop by and say hi. I’d be more than happy to give you a tour.

I started working at One Voice Community Center after coming across their website while doing  research for a paper. Although I have not been with 1Voice for long, I look forward to being apart of the community these next couple of years.

My husband and I moved to Arizona about a year and a half ago from Nebraska. Currently, I am a graduate student in Clinical Sexology at Widener University. I will graduate this December and will continue with the doctoral degree starting in spring.

I feel that One Voice has given me the opportunity to reach out to the community as well as the chance to meet some amazing people. I am glad to be apart of something so powerful and hope that my experiences, knowledge, and friendships will continue to grow.

I returned to Arizona from California 5 years ago after working in the cosmetic industry.  In February 2013 a friend suggested that I volunteer somewhere. I was introduced to 1Voice at a meeting I attended and decided to volunteer here. I received my training and I started my involvement by running in the 1st Friday Art Walk.

Shortly after my start I was asked to assume the Center Coordinator position and so my story begins. I was interested but not really knowing what I was walking into but it has turned out to be something I’m really enjoying.

The changes made to improve the center, making it a lively Community Center has been achieved by many working together. I would like to thank all these fantastic volunteers for being the backbone of many of the improvements. We would have not been able to come this far, without any of these volunteers you are reading about today.

I enjoy being part of a Center that opens its doors and give selflessly  to help ensure that the community has a great experience and receive our help.

I do hope all of you get a chance to stop by take a tour and get a chance to meet the great people. To the Volunteers I Thank You for all you do.