Milestones are always important to recognize, especially when a volunteer reaches one. The perfect volunteer placement is when the volunteer is as happy as the people he/she is working with.  Terrie Rosen found her perfect match and is celebrating her two-year anniversary volunteering in the Alzheimer’s Day Program at Mid-Island Y JCC. 

Taking the time to observe various volunteer opportunities, Terrie found her home in the Alzheimer’s Day Program and has been bringing her big smile and compassion each Wednesday and Thursday for the past two years.

We asked Terrie what surprised her most about this experience and she shared the following thoughts with us:

“When you think about working with people who have Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, you would think itwould be very depressing work. Although it is upsetting to realize the toll it takes on the people more seriously affectedby the disease and witness the decline in the clients, you realize that the time you spend with them is not all ‘doom and gloom.’ They are all wonderful people with many memories to share. We have fun playing games together, making crafts or just laughing about the silly things that happen during the day in the room. I have become so familiar with the clients through the time we share together that I feel a more personal connection to each of them.”

The Alzheimer’s Day Program is one part of the Mid-Island Y JCC family with members and volunteers making it a very special place to be.

Thank you Terrie! We are incredibly grateful to you!