Volunteering Runs in the Family
If you’re anything like Mary-Lou Martin, a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare’s West 5th Campus, your days are spent wearing many different hats.
Mary-Lou is a healthcare practitioner, researcher, University educator, consultant and leader at work. Over the past few years, she’s noticed the lines between her work life and her family life have been blurring – and this couldn’t make her happier. Mary-Lou is also the daughter and a mother of two very passionate volunteers.
When Mary-Lou’s mother, 80-year-old Flo Martin, heard about the volunteers making a difference at St. Joe’s from her daughter, she knew that she wanted to contribute.
"Volunteering has helped me by giving me a broader view of mental health and addiction issues. I’m hoping to help reduce the stigma that many patients experience," says Flo Martin, a retired shop owner and grandmother of four. "In return, I’m rewarded with satisfying relationships that I’ve built with other volunteers, patients and families."
In the summer of 2012 Mary-Lou’s daughter, 18 year old Sierra Martin, began taking after her grandmother’s penchant for volunteerism.
"It’s increased my self-confidence," says Sierra. "Volunteering at the Take a Break Café at the West 5th Campus allowed me to learn more about mental health and our healthcare system. I’ll be able to apply this knowledge to future employment."
Mary-Lou has volunteers in her department at West 5th and knows that when the new facility is built, more opportunities to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of our patients will open up.
"I encouraged and supported my mother and my daughter to be volunteers at St. Joe’s," says Mary-Lou. "I believe in their capacity to contribute something of value to the organization and I believe the experience they have will be of great value to them."
To connect your family and friends with new volunteering opportunities opening at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s West 5th Campus, ask them to contact Anne Lech, Recruitment Coordinator by calling 905.522.1155 ext. 36265 or emailing alech@stjoes.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Megan Bieksa
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
905-522-1155 Ext. 33037
mbieksa@stjoes.ca