Showing posts with label Life Developments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Developments. Show all posts
Friday, May 15, 2015
Farewell to Amy
Today is a sad day for the Volunteer Transportation community as we say goodbye to Amy Husted. Amy first started at Senior Services as an MSW intern in 2011 and has served as our Eastside Coordinator for four years. Staff, volunteers and clients of the program have come to know Amy as a dedicated, cheerful, thoughtful and efficient worker who always makes time to support people in need. Although we are all happy for her as she begins the next steps of her career, she will certainly be missed!Upon Amy’s departure from Senior Services, we asked her to reflect about her experiences with Volunteer Transportation:
What do you think makes Volunteer Transportation such a valuable program?
Volunteer Transportation provides much more than transportation; it offers a means to build relationships with people in our community. Clients, volunteers and doctors are all able to connect with one another through this valuable service and volunteer opportunity. It’s exciting to think of neighbors helping neighbors, retired pediatricians taking their (now older) patients, or community members reconnecting with distant family members or long lost friends. What a wonderful way of making the world a better place!
What have you enjoyed most about your work at Volunteer Transportation?
I've enjoyed working with a strong and supportive office team and lovely volunteers to provide a much needed service to our community. It has been a joy to be a part of this amazing group of people.
What has been a challenge for you?
Saying goodbye. I hate goodbye.
What has been most memorable for you?
I always enjoyed the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheons. Although I work closely with the Eastside and West Seattle/Burien drivers each week, I worked with many South King County and North King County volunteers when a co-worker was out of the office. It’s fun to match people’s names and voices with a human being! I appreciated seeing all the volunteers celebrating together in one place.
What have you learned from your time at Volunteer Transportation?
My time with Volunteer Transportation has taught me many things but the most influential lesson learned is the perseverance of the human spirit. Whether it’s losing a devoted partner of 40 years, living with a chronic condition, or struggling with memory loss, people are strong and resilient. They are capable of so many things.
Thank you, Amy, for all that you've brought to Senior Services over the last several years! We know that you’ll continue to lighten the lives of others as you move on to your next professional role.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Client Profile: Mary Lou B.
This week’s post features another testimonial from a 77-year-old woman who knows are programs well. Here is what she recently shared with us:
“I use both the Hyde Shuttle and Volunteer Transportation programs. I don’t know what I’d do without these services. I used to drive everywhere as a social worker caring for mentally ill veterans, but you never know what shocks life has in store for you. I got very sick a few years ago. Everyone thought I was going to die. After spending 7 months in the hospital, I remarkably survived. Even the doctors were shocked when I came out of it alive. However, I was no longer able to work or drive. I now depend on these forms of transportation and can’t say enough good about them.
The drivers are delightful and have made me feel so much better about losing my independence… They are absolutely wonderful!”
*Mary Lou B., regular Hyde Shuttle and Volunteer Transportation client
Her story echoes that of many other clients who unexpectedly have to stop driving after overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. As always, we are humbled and inspired as we learn the stories of Mary Lou and others like her who have beat the odds and triumphed in the face of adversity.
“I use both the Hyde Shuttle and Volunteer Transportation programs. I don’t know what I’d do without these services. I used to drive everywhere as a social worker caring for mentally ill veterans, but you never know what shocks life has in store for you. I got very sick a few years ago. Everyone thought I was going to die. After spending 7 months in the hospital, I remarkably survived. Even the doctors were shocked when I came out of it alive. However, I was no longer able to work or drive. I now depend on these forms of transportation and can’t say enough good about them.
The drivers are delightful and have made me feel so much better about losing my independence… They are absolutely wonderful!”
*Mary Lou B., regular Hyde Shuttle and Volunteer Transportation client
Her story echoes that of many other clients who unexpectedly have to stop driving after overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. As always, we are humbled and inspired as we learn the stories of Mary Lou and others like her who have beat the odds and triumphed in the face of adversity.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Volunteer Story: Getting Hitched
Dennis B., a volunteer driver, shared the following story with us:
“Yesterday, I took Bill H. to Magnolia. He lived up there for years, and as it was a nice day, after the appointment we went to the bluff and looked out at the water for a while. He told me about his father who was a ferry boat captain in the old days. As we were getting ready to go, he told me that he had to get back to see his fiancée! Bill is 91-years-old and uses a walker and is not what I would call really mobile...and here he is getting married!! He said that she and he were sweethearts 72 years ago. He has been through 2 wives, and she 1 or 2 husbands. They now live 2 doors apart at The Merrill Gardens and are planning on getting married. I guess it’s not over until they nail down the lid, huh?”
Friday, October 19, 2012
Farewell to Shelani
Is there any message you’d like to leave for the program’s staff, clients, or volunteers?
We will miss Shelani very much, but we wish her the best of luck with all of her future endeavors. Here’s hoping that her life journey is filled with meaningful "rides!"
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| Shelani is off for new adventures. |
Many volunteers and clients have gotten to know Shelani as the “friendly voice on the other side of the phone line” as she has tirelessly coordinated Volunteer Transportation rides for South King County. Sadly, today (10/19/2012) marks her last day in this role. Her life path has "steered" her (pun intended!) away from Seattle and on to new adventures elsewhere.
Preparing to begin the next chapter of her life afforded Shelani the opportunity to reflect about her experiences as a Program Coordinator for the past two years. Here is what she had to say:
What have you enjoyed most about your role at Volunteer Transportation?
I have really enjoyed feeling like the job I do makes a difference in the lives of others. I really enjoy getting to talk to clients on Friday and telling them who their driver is. They are so grateful and happy for our service, and that is a good feeling. I have also enjoyed getting to know my volunteers. I have been fortunate to work with wonderful colleagues who taught me a lot, and I will miss them dearly.
What has been a challenge for you?
The challenge was having to tell client’s that sometimes we don’t have enough volunteers to do the rides. That’s the hardest part of this job.
What has been most memorable for you?
My most memorable moments have been talking to various clients about their lives and learning about their past. It’s so fascinating to hear the life stories of people.
Is there any message you’d like to leave for the program’s staff, clients, or volunteers?
I want to thank Cindy [Senior Services' Transportation Director] and all my colleagues, as well as the wonderful volunteers I got to work with. The connections I made with these individuals taught me so much, and I feel very lucky to have worked with such caring individuals. I will take the lessons I learned with me wherever I go.
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About Me
- Volunteer Transportation
- “Behind the Wheel” offers stories, reflections, news and updates about Sound Generations’ (formerly Senior Services') Transportation Program. Throughout King County, our inspiring volunteers provide needed mobility to local seniors, supporting them in their efforts to remain independent, healthy, and happy. Please drop by to read more about the unique experiences of our volunteers, clients and staff!