Volunteers Show Up for One Another

Classroom Grandparent volunteer Marsha Hypolite smiles with Senior Companion volunteer Theresa during a volunteer appreciation gathering.

Service has a way of bringing people together in unexpected and meaningful ways. When Classroom Grandparent Marsha Hypolite had to step away from tutoring to care for her mother full-time, fellow volunteer Theresa stepped in to help. Through companionship, conversation, and compassionate support, Theresa gave Ms. Marsha peace of mind and the opportunity to return to the classroom doing what she loves most — helping children learn and grow.

Marsha Hypolite has served as a Classroom Grandparent for over a decade. She loves helping children develop a love of learning. Imagine the disappointment Ms. Marsha felt when her mother’s failing health meant she was needed as a full-time live-in caretaker and could no longer tutor these children in their classroom every day.

At Seniors in Service, our priority is to help volunteers do what they love, so we wanted to help Ms. Marsha get back to tutoring. Thankfully, we have hundreds of volunteers with diverse skills and passions. We reached out to Ms. Theresa, a Senior Companion volunteer who was eager to help. She visits with Ms. Marsha’s mother while Ms. Marsha is at school.

They play games, enjoy conversation, read, and listen to music. We love seeing how one volunteer is helping another volunteer get back to doing what she loves. Ms. Marsha has peace of mind, knowing her mother is well-cared for while she continues tutoring children who need her help. Now both volunteers are feeling purposeful, doing what they love most.