After several years working in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda as a missionary, Vollbrecht directed the mission education program for the Archdiocese of New Orleans for nearly a decade. She returned to field work in 2000, when the Society of the Sacred Heart established a foundation in Verrettes, Haiti, a town three hours north of Port-au-Prince.

“Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and conditions were very bad even before the earthquake’s devastation in 2010. Despite its challenges, Haiti is a proud, beautiful, fascinating country, and sharing life with its people has been an amazing experience,” says Vollbrecht.

The sisters established the Timoun Tét Ansanm (literally, “children heads together,” or children united) center to teach the children of Verrettes , and more recently established a training program for teachers. While the heart of their work is in education, Vollbrecht and her colleagues find themselves involved in every area of humanitarian work, including food distribution and medical relief.

“Education is the only thing that can make a difference for Haiti’s future—it’s the only way the peasants will find the voice they’ve never had,” says Vollbrecht.

The Newton College Class of 1961 has long made Vollbrecht’s work a fundraising priority, contributing generously to her Apron Pocket Fund, which helps the sisters purchase food and supplies. “I’m so grateful for their support over the years—those funds made the difference for us many times, making it possible for us to keep our work going in difficult times,” Vollbrecht recalls.

Difficult times included the period following Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, which did not directly affect Verrettes but destroyed much of the country’s physical and governmental infrastructure. The cholera epidemic which followed the earthquake did impact their community. Conditions were horrific, Vollbrecht remembers, with refugees flooding into the town and both unemployment and the price of food skyrocketing. 

Now back in New Orleans, Vollbrecht reflects on her time in Haiti as one of hard work, great personal and spiritual growth, and hope. “There has to be hope,” she says. For her, that hope lies in the promise of educating Haiti’s children.

How have you changed since graduation?

I have always had a missionary heart, but now I have a much deeper sense of how great are the needs in our world. And I know, too, how great is God’s grace in giving us opportunities to help.

What is one thing everyone should do while at BC?

Savor the experience!

What would you do if you were BC president for a day?

I’d invite all the children from the city to campus so they could see what a college experience looks like.

What has been the most satisfying moment in your professional life?

Well, I don’t know that I would choose one moment, but I have worked with children in Haiti who have seen unspeakable things. Seeing those children heal, and find the love of God, and move forward in their lives—that is quite wonderful. 

What was your first job?

My first teaching assignment was at the Kenwood Academy of the Sacred Heart in Albany, in 1963.