Hospice of New York

Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens & Nassau

Volunteer Voices

2016

A note from Angela and Sandra

Welcome to summer and the wondrous opportunity to replenish ourselves with the warmth,

beauty and the splendor of the many joys of nature. It is also a time to reflect on the spiritual and

loving gifts you have so generously given to our patients and their families. Since we are privileged

to serve a multicultural population, did you know our volunteers enables us to provide further as-

sistance by sharing their language skills. Our current volunteer population, which range in age

from the 20’s – 90’s speaks 15 varied languages. This common denominator enhances our ability to

provide an additional level of comfort.

Whatever talents and skills you bring, most importantly is your gift of time. With deep gratitude

for your kindness, thank you!

Have A Great Summer!!!

Volunteers !!!!!

Eunice Segura-Lara 7/1 Fred Skepner 8/4 Frances Brown 8/23

Felipa Isales 7/3 Weaver Ross 8/5 Michael Carroll 8/28

Sister Immaculate

Mwelu

7/8 Graciela Busto 8/8 Sandra Hollingsworth 9/7

Lori Gaeta 7/8 Monique Ambrose 8/13 Mary Martin-Sweet 9/8

Nadira Dossa 7/12 Jeanette Parkins 8/13 Anna Duncan 9/14

Ayana Bartholomew 7/19 Debra Russo-Houri 8/19 John Barr 9/15

Eva Peck 7/23 Keith Rippey 8/21 Judy Pique 9/15

Sally Scialabba 8/2 Erick Subillaga 8/21 Miriam Lakes 9/22

Summer Tips

Bugged by Bugs?

Before buying costly (not to mention toxic) insect repellents, try using ingredients

that you have at home: For ants, spray vinegar along baseboards. When barbecuing, repel

mosquitoes by burning sage or rosemary over the coals and running a fan nearby.

Family Freebies

Keep the kids or grandkids entertained this summer without breaking the bank. Get details

about free bowling at KidsBowlFree.com and how-it’s-made.com. Home Depot and Lowe’s host

regular how-to-workshops for kids. For budding scientists, visit ScienceBuddies.org or

ScienceandMath.com for creative at-home projects. TakeMeFishing.org lists free fishing days

when licenses are not required .….and several movie chains offer $1 tickets on

family films throughout summer.

Suggested Reading: Awake at the Bedside: Contemplative Teachings on Palliative and End-of-Life Care, edited by Koshin Paley Ellison and Matt Weingast. Published by Wisdom Books. The book focuses on stories of doctors, patients, chaplains, family members and caregivers who sit at the bedsides of people who are dying or experiencing illness. It imparts valuable lessons about relationships, grief, joy and suffering, when sharing a sacred moment with another human being. Dr. Deborah Derman has published Colors of Loss and Healing, an adult coloring book intended to help process grief and loss. Along each of the 35 illustration is a blank space with the headings “my palette, my words, my thoughts ” to encourage people to write down their feelings. Dr. Derman emphasized, “it does not dictate how people should grieve. We all go through grief and loss in very unique ways.” Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Noah Yuval Harari. In this book, the author takes on the daunting

tasks of telling the entire story of the human race in just 400 pages. Bill Gates recommends it to anyone who’s interested in the history and future of our species.

The Untethered Soul ...The Journey Beyond Yourself , by Michael A. Singer. This spiritual teacher explores the ques-

tion of who we are and arrives at the conclusion that our identity is to be found in our consciousness. The book explores the fact of our ability to observe ourselves and the world around us. By tapping into traditions of medi-tations and mindfulness, Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness & self-reflection.

Louise Erdrick’s LaRosa (Harper) is a brutal, ultimately buoyant dramatization of the way unexpected kindships

help heal us. But before the healing comes the wounds.

Volunteer Recognition Luncheon,

May 15,2016

Volunteer Life Lites

Mary A. Douglas, who volunteers at Saint Barnabas In-Patient Unit, received an Honorary

Doctorate of Public Service Degree at the 162nd commencement Ceremony at

Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina on May 14, 2016.

Marie Hinners, volunteer of 14 years, became a great-grandmother for the 2nd time.

Emma Going born February 4, 2016.

The niece of Daisy Wilson, Tosha Barrow received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from

Fordham University. Daisy volunteers at Brooklyn Hospital in-patient unit.

Sandra Nielsen’s nephew, Sengan Harding, graduated from High School, May 2016.

Gladys Vilelia’s daughter, Mille, celebrated her 6th year anniversary of running a successful Day

Care in the Bronx. Her Grandson, Madison Gomez graduated from Junior High School on the

Honor Roll and her other grandchildren, Nashera Holemess, Julia Holness and Brianna Holness

all had an average of 90% during the school year. Gladys is a proud Grandmother.

Robin Cohen became a grandmother for the 2nd time. Abby Sonnheim, born 7/3/2015.

Come make a difference…….. Please help us recruit new volunteers!

Patient Care Volunteers—Provide support to patients, caregivers and families in your own

Communities, at home, in nursing homes or in the in-patient setting.

Administrative Volunteers—Assist office personnel in our Long Island City office in the Volunteer

Department, Medical Records, Human Resources, and Bereavement.

Please contact:

In Manhattan, Bronx and Brooklyn In Nassau County /Queens

Contact: Sandra Nielsen @ 347-226-4821 Contact: Angela Purpura @ 347-226-4801

sandra.nielsen@hospiceny.com angela.purpura@hospiceny.com

Volunteer Notes

In the two weeks since I last saw Beretha, things have changed—— I can tell her body is starting to shut down.

The day before my visit her family held a big party, saying they were not sure if she would make it to Mother’s

Day, and that they wanted to be sure she was able to celebrate with them. Although they rarely talk about death

or acknowledge what is going on, the party was their way of making the goodbye a positive thing. It makes me

happy to know they are processing it in a way that works for them. —Miriam Lakes

Today Joseph’s son was visiting. He seemed very happy to tell me about his father. He said his father was a civil

service worker, baseball fan and 50’s music lover. He spoke of the difficulty to see his father like this for so

many years. I told him he was a wonderful son to take such good care of his father—Sally Scialabba

We talked about her dog (actually a dog doll) and I showed her u-tube movies about dogs. She liked to watch,

but said it’s too cold to stay in the dining room because the windows were open. Today she did not mention

being homesick . A HHA asked her to have some warm coffee and, so I left with the promise to come on next

Tuesday. —Jonghoon Lee

When visiting at Brooklyn IPU, I met with the patient’s granddaughter, Keisha today. She brought in music and

we sang her Grandmother’s favorite songs. She asked me if I could sit with Grandma while she went to get

lunch. Her daughter, Carol arrived and I sat with her and her Mother a while longer and then I went on to visit

with Irving. He was very uplifting. He got sad at one point and when I asked him about his family, he got

happy again. —Daisy L. Wilson

I arrived when Mimi was still eating lunch with the assistance of her nurse. Her nurse and I did most of the

speaking today. I think it may have made her a little uncomfortable not being able to speak as she may have

wanted . Toward the end of our visit, we spoke of friends she has at the church in the West Village. She has a

strong support network there. — Christopher Wankel

Michael and I had a nice visit. He was on the couch waiting for his new recliner to arrive, so he was a bit uncom-

fortable and he had not slept well. We talked about old friends and loss. Michael enjoys hearing about my life.

He is extremely sensitive and a good listener. He has endured very difficult circumstances that inform his judge-

ment and sensibility. His company is a privilege. — John Barr

I visited with Jose today at Saint Barnabas IPU. When I went into the room, his face lit up and gave me the big-

gest smile. He remembered me from last week and was very glad to see me again. We had a general conversa-

tion. He was glad to have the company because his wife had to take care of some business. As I prepared to

leave, we held hands and said some prayers together. I told him I would be back and he said he would be wait-

ing for me.—Mary Douglas

Volunteer Voices is written and edited by Sandra Nielsen and Angela Purpura. Graphic design by

Sandra Nielsen. Contact information: sandra.nielsen@hospiceny.com/347-226-4821 and

angela.purpura@hospiceny.com/347-226-4801.