Let Your Light Shine is what each of us is called to do at the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Dayton. Employee Illuminations highlights dedicated employees who take this mission to heart and embody the love of Christ in their daily work.
Mollie, a shelter supervisor, has let her light shine at St. Vincent de Paul for almost 20 years. She is an inspiration to many!
Today, we are grateful to shine a light on Mollie Little, whose journey with St. Vincent de Paul, Dayton began nearly two decades ago when she came here seeking assistance. Currently, she is a supervisor at our Women and Families Shelter, helping ensure every neighbor who walks through the doors is treated with dignity, compassion, and understanding.
When asked to describe Mollie, her colleagues said she is determined, dedicated, remarkably gifted, and even battle-tested, but the two descriptions most used were energetic and caring. These two words are embodied in the almost entertaining way she zips through the hallways putting out fires (figurative ones!), directing staff, and supporting guests. Her laugh and broad warm smile are recognizable by all.
Mollie’s life-changing decision to walk into St. Vincent de Paul led to an unexpected life and career of compassion, teamwork, and leadership. We are grateful that the Lord brought her through these doors.
Mollie entered St. Vincent de Paul’s transitional housing program in 2007 after completing rehab and a halfway house program. As she worked to rebuild stability in her life, a staff member saw potential in Mollie and encouraged her to consider a job at the shelter.
At the time, Mollie admits she didn’t know much about St. Vincent de Paul but took the opportunity. She initially worked in housekeeping, then moved into a guest attendant position, where she was in direct contact with the neighbors staying at the shelter.
Mollie thought her own experiences would help her understand what guests needed. “I have been there too,” Mollie said. “Homeless, penniless, jobless; and I understand it.”
In many ways her experiences helped, but she quickly discovered they could only take her so far. Every person who entered the shelter had a different story and serving them well required Mollie to learn more about experiences different from her own.
“You got to understand that everyone has a story,” Mollie said. “And their stories kind of show you something about your own story. And about life. I began to grow.”
That growth didn’t happen overnight. As Mollie spent more time working directly with guests, she learned that serving someone well often meant slowing down, listening, and trying to understand what they were experiencing before responding.
As Mollie’s understanding of the work grew, so did her responsibilities. When St. Vincent de Paul leaders approached her about becoming a supervisor, her first reaction was that she didn’t feel qualified for the job.
But others had recognized something in Mollie that made her well-suited to lead. She was willing to speak up when she thought something wasn’t right, advocate for others and bring her own perspective to the mission. Eventually, she accepted the position.
Today, Mollie shares many of the lessons she learned along the way with the employees she supervises. She encourages new staff to listen before responding, consider both sides of a situation, and remember how much their tone and approach can affect a person. Sometimes, she says, the most important thing is simply making sure someone knows they’ve been heard.
Director of Shelter Ministries Joe Gebhart says he relies “heavily on Mollie’s perspective and experience. I have a great deal of respect for the way she shows up for the guests and staff every day… She comes from a place of caring and is able to show tough love when needed.”
Nearly two decades of shelter work have also brought difficult days. When the weight of the work becomes heavy, Mollie has learned where to turn. “When I am stressed, I go over there for a moment,” Mollie said of the shelter’s chapel. “I go into the chapel for a minute and get my thoughts together. I’m glad for it. It really helps.”
Just as Mollie has grown through her years at St. Vincent de Paul, she has watched countless guests take steps forward in their own lives. Those moments continue to motivate her.
“With St. Vincent, I am able to help people. I am able to give back,” Mollie said. “I am thinking about how I can make a difference, and that is why I stay.”
Colleagues were happy to share their thoughts about Mollie. They spoke of how she is a powerful partner, an inspiration to so many, and a constant example of what it means to be committed to serving the community. There are so many people who pour into the work of this mission, and Mollie is truly a powerhouse – and a lighthouse – among those efforts.
Thank you, Mollie, for letting your light shine at St. Vincent de Paul. Your journey reminds us that growth comes through listening, learning, and choosing to encounter each person with compassion and dignity. You are “love in action.”