St. Joe's volunteer Karen B. is forever grateful
We’re celebrating National Volunteer Week at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton!
Karen B. has been volunteering at the West 5th Campus’ ‘The Book Nook’ which she describes as, “a very relaxed environment where patients can take out books, magazines, CD's and DVD's but most importantly where they can come visit and talk, and we listen to offer them support where we can.”
Identifying herself as someone with lived experience, Karen began her journey with St. Joseph’s many years ago as a patient. “It is a magical place and I had to give back.” She joined the volunteer team two years ago and says, ”Volunteer Resources treats you with so much respect and make you feel important; you’re not just a volunteer you’re staff.”
Karen also volunteers with the Burlington Performing Art Centre but believes that there’s “a spiritual quality” to volunteering at St. Joe’s explaining that, “some patients don’t have family or friends to come visit them, and we become somebody special to them.”
Always ready to greet you with a smile Karen plans on continuing with her commitment to St. Joe’s saying, “I very much look forward to my volunteer days at West 5th…it keeps me grounded and I’m forever thankful.”