Caring for Seniors and Building Relationships

For the fifth time in fifteen months, volunteers from Stonebridge Community Church gathered to assist the residents at Ashlee Manor Senior Living in Simi Valley, last Saturday morning.  Several residents were asked what it meant to have church volunteers serve them in an ongoing relationship. Many express their gratitude to the volunteers in person, but this time we captured a few comments ranging from a simple, “It’s great!” from Ismel, a resident of five years, to, “I appreciate it so much.  The Lord takes good care of me through church volunteers,” from a thirteen year resident named Sally.

It is a well-known fact that as people age, they can no longer take for granted what they used to be able to do.  Marian has been living at Ashlee Manor for twenty years and she said, “It means a lot.  I can’t get around, can’t do windows.” And Sheila, a fourteen year resident agrees, “I am grateful because there are so many things I can’t do anymore.  It means a lot to know the church volunteers will do anything I ask.  They’re wonderful and I appreciate them.”

Janie, an eight year resident, also looks at the practical side.  “It’s a blessing.  I can’t get up on a stool to clean my ceiling fan or windows anymore because of spinal degeneration and blood pressure issues.”  Jojo also put a practical spin on her appreciation.  “It’s unreal how good people are.  How helpful they are by doing extra things without my asking.  That’s so kind.”

Gwyla has lived at the senior apartments for thirteen years, and has gone through many tough life transitions. She doesn’t take for granted the extra help the volunteers offer.  “I’m 79 years old and can’t get everything done.  Praise the Lord that you come.”

 

Other residents see past the practical to the spiritual, perhaps viewing the volunteers as being the arms and legs of Jesus in their community.  Donna, who has only been at Ashlee Manor for one year, already gets it and put her thoughts succinctly.  “Christ’s work in action.  Help others.  Christian attitude.  I feel fortunate to live in a place served by Stonebridge.” With Rena, a resident for five years adding, “I love the people coming from the church.  They are gracious, kind and respectful, even the young folks.  I’m amazed.  I feel their joy in serving me.”  Don, a twelve year resident put it beautifully. “They’re doing the work for the Lord.  They do it to love their neighbors, like the Bible says.”

One resident named Karen used her appreciation for the volunteers to respond through action.  She had her hair cut by one of the cosmetology students and donated the long tresses to Locks of Love in honor of her sister’s battle with cancer.  I asked her about the gift and she said, “—because of Jesus.  I did it for Jesus.  It feels wonderful.”  She will also benefit because she only has the use of one hand because of Cerebral Palsy, and the short haircut will make her hair so much easier to care for.

 

Perhaps if we asked any one of the StoneBridge volunteers donating their time and energy for the seniors that morning the same question, they might reply in a similar fashion, “I do it for Jesus.”

 

By: Janet Maarschalk

Making Teamwork Accessible

 

August was a month filled with projects.  It seemed that with summer coming to an end people were ancy to get in one last volunteer opportunity

As the month rolled on we had a need come in from a gentleman who had needed our help before.  But, unlike the last time, his health had taken a severe decline and he now needed help packing and sorting his belongings so he could move into an assisted living facility.

As you might imagine he was not able to take very much with him and so our first task was to schedule pick-ups with the Rescue Mission and Salvation Army to collect all of the furniture.  We then sent out several small groups of volunteers to his home throughout the week to help him pick and choose what was going with him and what was not.

By the time the weekend came he was fully packed and ready to go, his brother arrived to move him to the facility and the furniture was picked up.  After he had settled in, he called the office to let us know how smooth the transition had been from his house to his new living facility. A move he initially was not looking forward to had turned into an opportunity for him to witness the kindness of strangers.

 

 

PECKING ORDER

Six months ago my husband and I began an endeavor that involves chickens.  Recently we added a new hen into the mix.  I have heard the expression ‘establishing a pecking order’ but I never really knew what it looked like.  It has been amazing to watch each of the chickens stretch themselves out to look bigger, flap their wings, peck at each other, and try to take over.  Seems everyone wants to be “Queen of the coop”.  It’s the same way with a lot of people.

That got me thinking about this Serve Day- both Part I on June 1 and Part II on June 29.  At every project all you saw were people working- there was no difference between the CEO’s and the homeless.  There was no puffing, or flapping, or pecking; everyone had laid aside their desire to be “King or Queen of the coop” and was just focused on serving.   Now every time I watch the chickens it’s a good reminder to me to lay aside my haughty attitude, my perceived self-worth, even my own agenda and just serve.  After all, that’s what Jesus did and He’s the one I really want to be like!

Jaime Chambers