Editor’s Note: In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’d like to share Courtney S.’s story with you. Courtney joined the Joy’s House family as a volunteer in 2017, and now finds herself a member of our Guest Relations team at Joy’s House at UIndy. Read more about her experience below.

 

When I first signed up for my one credit service learning lab, I had no idea it would lead me to a job at Joy’s House. After three failed attempts to volunteer at other places, due to no one returning my emails and calls, Joy’s House was suggested to me by a teacher and a decided to go for it. As I walked to my first day to volunteer, I realized I had no idea what I had signed myself up for and to be honest, I was scared. I had never worked with the older adult population and I had no idea what I was about to walk in to, but I am now thankful every day I didn’t turn around.

I volunteered two days a week for about a month and a half, and every day was a new learning adventure. I learned so much about the adult day service and the blessing it is to so many people. I watched staff interact with the guests and their caregivers in such a warm and embracing manner so everyone who visits Joy’s House feels welcomed. This atmosphere made me look forward to volunteering every week.

Now that I have been a member of Joy’s House staff for a little over four months, I can say I look forward to coming to work every day. Each and every day is a new adventure still but now I am able to be one of the staff members I watched only four short months ago interact with guests and fill their day with fun and laughter. Being at Joy’s House has taught me perseverance and courage, and also things that I never expected to learn, like dating and fashion advice from the guests which always makes my day ten times better.

Looking back six months from when I first started volunteering, I am grateful all the volunteer opportunities fell through because it led me to Joy’s House. I now encourage everyone to volunteer, especially at someplace that may be out of their comfort zone, because that is how I ended up with an amazing job being surrounded by even more amazing people who have helped me in so many ways that I am unable to explain.

Thank you Joy’s House.
~Courtney S