At Mercy Medical Ministry in Auburn, Alabama, volunteers are the heart of the mission. This non-profit clinic exists to “glorify God in the community by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and providing compassionate healthcare for the uninsured.” In 2023 alone, Mercy saw more than 4,200 patient visits and provided over $2.6 million in prescription assistance to more than 1,700 patients.
Mercy’s approach to care is holistic, addressing not just physical health, but also spiritual and emotional needs. “We value doing this with gentleness and respect as we know everyone comes with different beliefs,” says Brooke Daniel, Steward of Operations. Local healthcare providers, spiritual encouragers from nearby churches, and student volunteers from Auburn University all work together to meet the diverse needs of their neighbors.
With up to 20 volunteers serving daily, onboarding and training new helpers was once a major challenge. Students sought patient-care hours for future medical or nursing programs, while spiritual encouragers provided prayer and connection to community resources—but many would sign up and never show up. “We have a waiting list of over 50 student volunteers,” Brooke says. “To have someone commit and then not show up was disappointing.”
Mercy turned to the PATHS platform to transform this process. Volunteers now complete digital onboarding that includes training videos, first-day expectations, and all required documentation—long before stepping into the clinic.
“PATHS has streamlined the process and made it more efficient and time-saving! We know all volunteers are receiving the same, consistent training,” Brooke explains. “It shows a commitment to the mission and the volunteer position.”
The impact has been significant:
Brooke sums it up best: “It truly has been invaluable. Onboarding volunteers is no longer a time-consuming process for our team. PATHS allows us to focus on serving patients and living out our mission.”
