Volunteers are the heart of Volunteers in Service to the Elderly and have been since our founding in 1983! As I was looking through some of VISTE’s historical records and photos for our 40th Anniversary, I came across training documents from 1985. A new volunteer reflected on her training and experiences while visiting with elderly clients:
“I went to three homes today for an evaluation and two reevaluations. I learned how to have patience with people who are slow in doing things. I learned not to be pressed by time and not be concerned with how much of my time a client is taking because a lot of them are lonely and have no one else to talk to. My time can’t be so precious that I can’t afford to spend a few extra minutes listening to a lonely person.”
While some things change, some remain the same. VISTE volunteers from the very beginning have been compassionate toward the elderly we serve, and they still are today. This helps reduce social isolation among our seniors, in addition to our providing ways to keep them safe and independent in their homes – 40 years later!
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we also celebrate the hundreds of volunteers, volunteer groups, churches, and businesses – everyone who has expressed concern and compassion for the elderly in our neighborhoods and communities. We can’t do this work without YOU!!
If you would like to support VISTE’s mission, please consider a donation today! Your gift helps provide a variety of services at no cost to local seniors in need.
To help ensure VISTE is here for another 40 years, consider a gift to the new Endowment Fund. This fund will allow VISTE the flexibility to act swiftly when unexpected circumstances arise, including hurricanes, pandemics, or anything that necessitates an immediate response to keep seniors safe. Also, donations to the Endowment Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the George Jenkins Foundation. Feel free to contact me at lisa@viste.org – or click here to donate now. THANK YOU for your support!