Testimonials

“I was impressed with the Supported Employment Program and Employment Specialist. We worked for several weeks on paperwork, finding my interests and modifying my resume. We found a job almost immediately and I was impressed at how quickly I found employment. I feel good about working because I was out of the field about 2 ½ years. Although I was overwhelmed at first, I was able to get through it. I like helping people, especially the elderly, and I’m glad to be back at work. My life is more meaningful now and I feel like I have a purpose.” Henrietta J.
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“The Supported Employment services were very good. The Employment Specialist walked me through the whole job searching process, and was extremely supportive before and after I found employment. I also feel that the program provided me with the skills to be able to obtain employment on my own in the future. Overall, working has provided me with a reason to get up in the morning because I love my job as Respite Worker.” Deborah G.

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As my husband’s condition worsened, I wondered how I could continue to care for him. Finding a way to get some help seemed so difficult, until I was connected to Federation and your wonderful companion program.

My life has changed so much since Miguel arrived at the door, an answer to my prayers. The feeling of helplessness and isolation is gone. His kindness and helpfulness is a joyful gift to my husband and me.

To hear another voice in our home, silent for so long, invigorated me – I had hope again. Instead of “I can’t do this anymore,” my spirit says “but we can!”

We can’t thank you enough Miguel. You are a special person and we wish blessings for you, and all the people who volunteer to do God’s work.

I want you to know that I know an angel when I see one.

-The G family

It seems like yesterday that Lucy came into our lives and hearts, but it is six years.

Mom and Lucy share a very special bond that only this program has been able to provide for her. My mother is a reserved and quiet person, and Lucy has the great ability to make her smile and laugh. When Mom went into the hospital, she did not ask for family members, but for Lucy.

When Mom gets confused and doesn’t know who we are, who does she think we are? Lucy.

Lucy and Mom are both very spirited women who love and share their faith – they pray together and stay together.

Lucy has adapted to all of the many changes Mom has gone through. Lucy used to heat Mom’s food for her; she still heats it, but now she also feeds Mom her pureed food.

Without this program, there would be no Lucy and our whole family knows how important Lucy is to Mom’s emotional well-being.

Congratulations today Lucy on the wonderful friend you have been and are to Mom and to the whole family. We all love Lucy and thank God that people like her can be found through such a terrific program that seniors so very much need.

Mom benefits so much from Lucy’s companionship and help while it affords me, Mom’s primary caregiver, a much-needed respite. Lucy is also a fantastic cook, and has brought delicious food for us to enjoy and Mom really does.

We all hope that this program will not only endure, but be expanded so that others can be as fortunate as we have been in finding Mom’s companion and our dear friend who we consider family – Lucy.

Love, the Ns

I’m happy to be a part of Federation of Organizations. My experience has been inspirational and gratifying, as well as fun. I’ve been a senior companion for approximately 14 months now.

My companion and I look forward to each day that we can do the things he likes and also needs assistance with from time to time. Our day begins with me reminding him to not forget to eat breakfast, and from there I will assist him in making the bed. Usually, if he feels up to it, we then watch the birds and squirrels for a while through the front door window. From there, he usually asks me “So James, what’s doing with politics,” which I always let him start, and we chat, laugh and watch TV, all at the same time.

When weather permits, we walk for a few minutes and stop and chat with his neighbors. He looks forward to when we need to travel to the bank for quarters for the laundry machines, or just up to the barber shop. But no matter what we do, he always makes sure that we are home by 11:00 AM to watch Jerry Springer and Judge Joe Brown. We usually do his laundry every other Thursday. We then fold his laundry as we watch TV and chat.

Morris’ family is very grateful and friendly and we all get along great. I feel I have been inspirational and helpful in many ways to my companion. He is so grateful for my help and support. We chat by phone and have become very close as companions as well as friends. So my experience with Federation and my companion have been truly great. Thank you for your indulgence.

-JJ

Being a Senior Companion makes me feel needed and wanted. I taker her shopping, to doctors and to church. I pick up food for her. She is so happy when I find things out for her to receive help. It is so hard for her to make ends meet. She says if it wasn’t for me, she would have no food, and would not know about what is going on in the world. She says I am like a sister to her and that makes me feel so good. I think this keeps me going as well as her.

-JB

After retiring from my job, I knew there was something that needed to be done in finding the resources for new retirees and seniors, both with and without disabilities, as I myself was finding it difficult to understand many forms that require what seems lie a master’s degree to comprehend or complete for services that would enrich my quality of life.

In 2002, I became a senior companion volunteer. My joy in meeting, talking with and being able to help anyone has been a blessing to me. My many experiences from spending time with all the recipients have helped me to see how very fortunate I really am. There are so many seniors who do not have family or friends who have time or the patience to spend a few moments to sit and listen, talk, go shopping, attend a game of BINGO, sit by the ocean on a sunny day and share memories only some can identify with.

I have so much gratitude for the senior companion program. My life is enriched by all the recipients that have touched my life, if only sometimes it is just too short a time…

-EW

I believe there are no coincidences. After I retired from nursing, I was looking for a volunteer program, and lo and behold, SCP was there. The program has so enriched my life. Over the past four years, the recipients and families I have met have been wonderful to know, they share many of their life experiences. I hope I have been able to assist them to continue their best possible lives in their home.

-MF

My mother has late-stage Alzheimer’s. My husband and I have been her caregivers for one year. We were emotionally and physically exhausted. Your services have given us the time to go see a dentist, get a mammogram, buy winter clothes – we even saw a matinee movie. My stress level has decreased, my “stress eating” has decreased, my weight has started to come back down, my high blood pressure has normalized without medication. I even take a 25-minute brisk walk every day. I had forgotten how it felt to not feel stressed.

(no name)

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