Families Friends
A Newsletter for St. John's Skilled Services May 2017
stjohnsliving.org
“I think what you give, as they say, you get back tenfold.”
Enriching Lives Through Volunteering It is not every day you meet a group of individuals who are as kind-hearted and willing to serve others as the Small Home volunteers. The group was founded by St. John’s Volunteer Coordinator Jean Loomis and is driven by eight vibrant and active ladies from Brickstone by St. John’s: Carol Bradshaw, Doris VanVechten, Karyl Friedman, Marty Keller, Rae Fradkin, Ginn Fitch, Jan Hammele, and Esther Smalline. “What strikes me most is when you walk in things begin to evolve and you can sense a change in aura; there’s a feeling of change in the room,” states Karyl. “They are very appreciative,” adds Ginn. The presence of these eight individuals does not go unnoticed. “We talk about how remarkable they are and that’s probably what has given them such a long life. They are such kind-hearted and giving people,” shahbaz Cindy Daniels explains. With the small homes transition that is continuing to take place, volunteers such as the Brickstone residents can really get to know and understand the elders
Go to stjohnsliving.org/shareyourstory/smallhome-volunteers to read more. here at St. John’s Home on a more personalized level. They can build relationships, discover commonalities, and even improve an individual’s quality of life, which may have previously been hindered by the medical model. Because of the relationships beginning to form, volunteering is not limited to 150 Highland Avenue. The Small Home volunteers have hosted their new friends at Brickstone for concerts and luncheons. “When they come back, they talk about it for a couple of days,” states nurse leader Nigisti Berhan. “It’s good for them because it gives them purpose and they feel like they have accomplished something, which they have,” continues Cindy. While there is talk of expanding this group of volunteers in the future, for the time being they will continue to serve the elders of the Rose neighborhood; after all, they do have a special bond. “I think what you give, as they say, you get back tenfold. There is just something about giving,” concludes Ginn.