Senior Honor Spotlight

Earlier this month, we came alongside our Senior Honor partners to celebrate National Assisted Living Week! It was a special time to show some extra care and appreciation for the staff and residents of the assisted living homes our campuses partner with on a regular basis.

Along with this focus on Senior Honor, we’d love to feature one of our partners—The Gardens at Eastside! We talked to Pelham member Kathy Lewis, who has volunteered at The Gardens for over 20 years and now coordinates a team of other volunteers. Here are some highlights she shared with us:

How are volunteers serving?

• We offer church services every Sunday, so people serve as teachers, musicians, and hospitality volunteers.
• Volunteers visit specific residents weekly and build relationships through our PALS program.
• We host an ice cream party once a month!
• Volunteers help us celebrate each individual’s birthday by visiting and bringing a card or some other treat.
• Every month, we get together with Mosaic Inspire (ministry for adults with special needs), and this is a sweet time for both the Inspire individuals and our residents!

Kathy also shared how serving through Senior Honor has impacted her personally:

“Most of these people have lost a lot—their independence, spouses, and even children, but they are beautiful pictures of leaning on the Lord and trusting him to walk with them through all of life's ups and downs. It’s a huge blessing for me every time I walk through that door and spend time with those godly men and women. They are great role models for me, and as I’ve gotten older and now have grandkids, I've been able to see firsthand what it looks like to leave a godly legacy.

Volunteering at The Gardens has also been a challenge for me as I have encountered so many fun, happy times, but many sad ones as well, as I have lost many close friends; God uses both to strengthen my faith and show me his goodness. Watching the ways our residents interact with each other and with the staff and volunteers gives me a wonderful perspective on the many ways God continues to use people throughout their lives, in all changing circumstances, to bless others.”

We are thankful for all our volunteers who are serving through Senior Honor and for what God is doing in and through them. If you are interested in getting involved with your campus’ Senior Honor partner, click below to fill out an interest form.