Volunteer Profile - Doris and Luis Gonzalez

We Are Family

Sister Sledge might as well have been writing about our sister and brother volunteers, Luis and Doris Gonzalez. (For you younger folk, Sister Sledge was an R&B group in the 70's and 80's.) The Gonzalez sibs -volunteers for the past 4 years - turn strangers into family in a New York minute.

Both these incredibly warm and engaging people started volunteering after the death of Luis's partner of fifteen years. Doris had heard about GLWD from a friend, then after participating in the Race to Deliver encouraged Luis to join her at an orientation. "I was depressed and didn't quite know what to do", Luis shared, looking impeccably turned out in his dusty pink YSL suit and designer glasses. He had been involved in gay community organizations before but felt unfulfilled at these previous volunteer efforts. "I needed to be hands-on." For Luis, GLWD was, "Love at first sight!" Doris, a dark-haired bundle of magnetism says she felt the vibe as soon as she walked in the door. "I met David Christmas and I was hooked!"

The Gonzalez's' volunteer on Sundays doing prep work from 11am -2pm. For Luis, "it's like going to church." It provides him with a spiritual connection that rewards him every week, "the gift that keeps on giving." Doris shares that working in the kitchen, "confirms for me that there are good people in the world." Both are glad to "give back" especially to an organization whose mission they so respect. And they can't say enough good things about the GLWD staff - Jamal and Brandon just two singled out for their enthusiasm and welcoming presence.

The notion of being welcomed probably resonates strongly for Doris, 49 and Luis, 51. Born in the Dominican Republic, they arrived in the US on December 30, 1965 with their older sister Esther. "We were on a single propeller plane and it was snowing", a magical and indelible memory for Luis. Their parents had left their children with relatives in the DR about 6 years prior so that they could come to New York to prepare for an ultimate reunion here. Educated in a one room schoolhouse at home, the three sibs had been inseparable. So the transition to New York according to Luis, "was a bit shocking." All three sibs were in different classes and spoke no English. "We were kind of lost, and then, of course, it was shocking to meet my parents again in this new environment. My mother was pregnant with my youngest sister Carolina at that time. I remember asking her, what's that about!"

But It didn't take long for this dynamic duo to acclimate themselves to their new home and thrive here. Doris, a strong believer in public school education, graduated from Baruch College ("we called it UCLA - University on the corner of Lexington Avenue") and works as a senior project manager at IBM where she is in charge of two multi-million dollar global grant programs. Both utilize IBM technology. One helps children and adults around the world gain literacy skills. The other helps Latino parents better communicate online with their children's teachers. For the past twenty years she has also been on the board of directors of a not-for-profit called, Youth Communication, that uses writing and reading projects to help at -risk youth make informed choices in their lives.

Luis, like his hard working sister, went to NYC public schools and City College. He's been working since he was 16 when he was discovered in class by his teacher, the renowned architect Cesar Pelli. An excellent artist and draftsman, Luis was given the opportunity by Pelli to create all the presentation drawings for the Pelli project at the MOMA Towers - quite an accomplishment for a young student! After graduating, he completed his Masters in Architectural History at UVA and received a certificate in Historical Preservation as well. Now, an accomplished architect and interior designer for the prestigious Office of Thierry W. Despont, Ltd. in Tribeca, Luis works for high end residential and retail clients throughout the world.

A description of the Gonzalez sibs would be lacking if I didn't stress their shared sense of aesthetics. Doris's apartment in Riverdale is a testament to her fabulous eye. 1920's Dutch Deco Posters, photographs - including a memorable Tina Modotti portrait of Diego Riviera - as well as collections from her travels are tastefully combined to create a lovely, inviting atmosphere. Luis has traveled extensively in Germany and Italy and one has only to spend time with him to appreciate his taste level and attention to detail. After the writer complimented Doris on her lovely home, she exclaimed with pride," but you should see Luis's place, it's perfect and so sophisticated."

Sophisticated, tasteful, intelligent, charismatic - these wonderful people are the personification of all these attributes but it is the openness of their hearts that immediately draws you to them. It's no surprise that their affection for GLWD is so palpable. "When I love something, everybody knows about it", Doris explains. That's why she's constantly bringing people to the kitchen to volunteer. "I want to let everybody know how important GLWD is." The Gonzalez's 17 yr. old nephew Anthony just spent two weeks volunteering during his summer visit to NYC and on a recent trip, even sister, Esther - a construction company owner from Florida - got in on the act. Their sister, Carolina - an author, journalist and professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice - soon plans a Sunday visit to do her part to further the work of the family's favorite not-for-profit.

The operative word here is family. Devoted to their own, Doris and Luis respond to GLWD because we are indeed a family. Their favorite part of the GLWD experience is by far, "the people." They truly love the diversity and spirit of the volunteers and staff.

So if you're in the GLWD kitchen on a Sunday afternoon and hear the cry,"Yeah funnions" as those dreaded pungent bulbs are wheeled in for chopping; or if you see a handsome man, in a perfect ensemble, marching joyfully in 100 degree heat giving out GLWD literature during the Gay Pride Parade, well then chances are you've had a Doris and Luis sighting. Go ahead, introduce yourself, they are family.