Bvp Newsletter Nov/Dec 2017

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

BURBANK VOLUNTEER the

2017

Pg. 2 Inside story

"A Connection of Generations through HOPE"

WHAT'S NEW Years of Service Awardees...pg 4 Presidential Award Recipients...pg 5 BVP Volunteer Congratulations!

Virginia Hernandez...pg 5 Bill Grayeb...pg 6 Family Service Day November 18, 2017 Upcoming Volunteer jobs & more!

Holiday Food Drives Coming up!

Sat. Nov 18 Sat. Dec 09 See page 7 for details

VISIT OUR WEBSITE Burbankca.gov/BVP the burbank volunteer

Go Green with BVP Visit www.Burbankca.gov/BVP to upload your volunteer hours online! Contact BVP office for your username and password

&

burbankca.gov/bvp

Don't forget!

November hours Due: Dec. 10 December hours Due: Jan. 10

1

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Project HOPE

NOV/DEC 2017

BURBANK VOLUNTEER

the

A Connection of Generations through HOPE.

By Elisa Accardi The Burbank Volunteer Program runs a program called Project HOPE (Helping Others Prosper Everyday) that pairs volunteers with clients who are 55 years or older and assist them to live independently. Project HOPE offers assistance in four areas: marketing, driving, friendly visitation, and telephone reassurance. I would like to share with you a sweet story of friendship that developed between two unexpected individuals. Carmen reached out to Joslyn Adult Center looking for some assistance in getting groceries. The staff directed her to the BVP program, where I set up an appointment to meet with Carmen to get to know her more and to further discuss her needs.

On April 19, 2016, I met with Carmen who was 80 years old at the time. My initial impression of Carmen was that she was very kind, warm and independent. She lived on her own and was extremely capable of taking care of herself, but needed some assistance with getting groceries weekly. She was looking for someone who was compassionate and understanding, someone who would not rush her through the store, and was patient. After an hour of conversation about family and life, I left the conversation with a volunteer already in mind.

Kelly had come to me looking for a volunteer opportunity about 2 weeks before I had met Carmen. Her mother had passed away 6 months prior, and she felt this program was a chance for her to give back in remembrance of her mom and in opportunities that she did not have with her mom. I reached out to Kelly and gave her a bit of information about Carmen and what she was looking for. She was very interested and eager to get started.

On May 9, 2016, I met Kelly at Carmen’s home for the two of them to meet and to see if this would be the right fit for both of them. Carmen and Kelly immediately connected and set up their first outing for later that week.

It has been 17 months since their initial meeting and almost every Thursday since, “I take her wherever she needs to go. In exchange, she shares her memories and wisdom with me” states Kelly. Kelly has made this a family affair including her four and a half year old son on the weekly outings. I was able to catch up with Carmen, Kelly and Kayden (Kelly’s son) after one of their adventures. I was greeted with hugs from Kelly and Carmen and a shy hello from Kayden. I asked them what they had gained from Project HOPE that was unexpected. Carmen smiled and replied, “A warm friendship.” Kelly’s response was, “A lifelong buddy. Carmen’s my angel. It fulfills something inside of me that I can’t explain.” Kelly added that her favorite part of the program was knowing that Carmen has everything that she needs to get through to the next week. On one occasion, Carmen was not feeling well and collapsed in the grocery store. Kelly said that it was terrifying, but she wanted Carmen to know that she was there.

Carmen said, “She (Kelly) knew how to take care of me. She was patient and held me the entire time.”

the burbank volunteer

burbankca.gov/bvp

2

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Project HOPE

NOV/DEC 2017

BURBANK VOLUNTEER

the

“She (Kelly) knew how to take care of me. She was patient and held me the entire time.”

-- Carmen

Throughout the interview Carmen and Kelly would laugh with each other and even playfully argued who was whose angel. Kelly said, “You can’t break us up!” Carmen agrees that this program allows her to continue living independently because of Kelly. She describes Kelly as wonderful and feels blessed to have her in her life. Carmen loves to see Kayden and misses him when he’s off on a playdate.

I asked Kelly to describe Project HOPE and her response was, “it is important to elders in the community that we provide something like this so that they have options. It doesn’t take much time - 1.5 to 2 hours a week. So many people need the help.” She said that it was a great way to give back to the Burbank community.

My last question was for Kayden and I asked him if he liked going out with Carmen. He smiled and said yes. He loves helping Carmen with her groceries. Carmen said that through this program, she’s gained a daughter and a grandson. Project HOPE is more than just a volunteer program. It intertwines generations and builds support and relationships between individuals that may have never crossed paths. This program allows the older adults of Burbank to engage with other community members and build meaningful relationships with caring and compassionate individuals.

If you or any one you know is interested in being a volunteer or needing some assistance, please contact Elisa Accardi at 818-238-5370 or eaccardi@burbankca.gov.

@bvpvolunteer *BVP received permissions from volunteer and client to use first names and pictures.

the burbank volunteer

burbankca.gov/bvp

3

2017 Volunteer Recognition Awards

Service

NOV/DEC 2017

BURBANK VOLUNTEER

the

Awards Cynthia Benveniste

35 year award recipient

20 year

Phyllis Kofoed

Les Rosenburg

Elaine Overturf-Rosenburg

Bette Wildish

15 year 10 year

5 year

Nid Ee-Siriporn Imre Foti Margarie Gibbs Kay Samuelsen Marijane Settlemyer

Lucy E. Brown Ronald Coyne Ruth Sandra Coyne Robert Cummings Don De Gregori Sam Engel, Sr.

Shaliko Abdalions Roberta Ariana Belinda Bayne Ruth Bornstein Shirley Burris Dee Call Lorraine Cohen Joy Davis

the burbank volunteer

Boonsri Fong John Peebles Lucille Shalhoub Edna Zakarian

Sharon Grooms Linda Huber Helen Manning Kaye Norris Grace Patz Betty Santoro

Lisa De Luca Lee Edwards Sonik Eyulazyan Kathleen Field Clara Hakopian Georgia Harrell Karen Higgins Donna Hovartos

Karen Sartoris Patricia Scully Roxanne Suh James Tyree Myriel Tyree Mary Vincenti

Valerie Jenkins Cynthia Leva Charles McDonald Nanci Nadimi Denise Novak Grace O'Bryan Gary Oseransky Linda Oseransky

burbankca.gov/bvp

Helen Palmer Gail Portrey Lourdes Ruanto Yerani Sarkisian David Standel Gary Swinhart Tanda Tindell Esther Vasquez

4

2017 Volunteer Recognition Presidential Awards

NOV/DEC 2017

BURBANK VOLUNTEER

the

The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award is the premier volunteer awards program, encouraging citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition.

These are individuals who have completed 4,000 or more hours in their lifetime.

Donna Lowande Carl Fish Cynthia Benveniste Virginia Hernandez Claudette Peiris Jeffrey McLeod Beverly Heine Maud Schreefel Lucy E. Brown Patricia Underwood Boonsri Fong Helen Manning Audrey Prest The Burbank Volunteer Program would like to congratulate...

Virginia Hernandez Virginia Hernandez is a frequent patron of the Joslyn Adult Center. You can count on her being in the atrium sitting area with crocheting needles and a ball of yarn most mornings. Her hands are quick, as she sits quietly chatting with some other Joslyn participants. It’s not unusual to see her working on a pair of baby booties in the morning, then a blanket in the afternoon. What you may not know is all of the baby hats, booties and blankets Virginia makes, she donates to local hospitals. This is where Virginia started her volunteer journey with the BVP program. The crocheting/knitting group that Virginia oversees has donated over 10,000 pieces to Children’s Hospital and White Hospital in the 14 years that she has been with them. With over 18 years of service, Virginia has dedicated over 21,300 hours of service to various organizations, agencies, hospitals and to the Joslyn Center. She has always been creative and enjoys sharing her love of art with others, including the t-shirt class she facilitates once a month at Joslyn where patrons can design and create their own shirts. Virginia said that she has, “always enjoyed crocheting and designing and appreciate that I am able to teach others.” Virginia, thank you for all of your dedicated time and caring heart to help make the lives of others better!

the burbank volunteer

burbankca.gov/bvp

Virginia has served a lifetime total of

21,300 hours!

5

NOV/DEC 2017

FEATURED VOLUNTEER the BURBANK Bill Greyeb VOLUNTEER

Mr. Bill is back!

Many of you know that Bill Grayeb retired in 2015.

He turned in his “employee” badge and swapped it out with “volunteer.” Although that is hard to convince most of us as he continues to be a vital contributor to the Joslyn Adult Center and our patrons. It’s common to see him here on Wednesday’s for Wii Bowling, which is a group he started as an employee. These days you will find him on Thursdays in the Travel Office working with Tristan Murphy (Senior Recreation Leader) to upgrade the design and the content of the Burbank Senior Activity Card Discount Directory.

Bill is currently working with local businesses to help bring the Burbank seniors great discounts throughout the City. So you know what that means right? It’s almost time to renew your Burbank Senior Activity Card or get a one if you are new to the community or center! Resident or not, you are welcome to join in the Joslyn Adult Center programs. If you haven’t noticed, Joslyn is bustling with new programs, speakers, events and activities.

On December 1st, the 2018 stickers will be available. Please come into Joslyn to renew or get your 2018 card. The Joslyn Adult Center is for individuals who are 55 years old and over. The Burbank Senior Activity Card (BSAC) is good for one calendar year (January – December). If you renew December 1st, 2017 you get an extra month of Joslyn fun!

If you are looking for a great way to meet new people and get involved with your community centers, Joslyn is the place for you.

*classes, programs, lectures, etc. may be discounted or free for BSAC card holders.

@bvpvolunteer

the burbank volunteer

burbankca.gov/bvp

6

FEATURED VOLUNTEER NOV/DEC 2017 Opportunity the BURBANK VOLUNTEER

Saturday November 18, 2017 Saturday December 9, 2017

S

Choose any shift or all shifts!

Shift #1 10 am - 12 pm Shift #2 12 pm - 2 pm @bvpvolunteer Shift #3 2 pm - 4 pm

Shift #4 4 pm - 6 pm the burbank volunteer

Call 818-238-5249 for location details.

burbankca.gov/bvp

7

The City of Burbank

Mayor’s Tree Lighting

on the front steps of City Hall

For more information call

the

creative arts center at 818.238.5397