Teens Welcome @ May 20 Training

Madison Miller is one of Hospice Care Plus’s teen volunteers. Adults and any teens who want to volunteer this summer are encouraged to sign-up for the May 20 New Volunteer Training.

On Saturday, May 20, Hospice Care Plus will train a new class of volunteers. All are welcome and needed but, as summer approaches, teens are especially encouraged to attend.

To sign-up for the training, contact Stefanie Manes, volunteer coordinator, at 859-626-9292 or hospice@hospicecp.org.

“We started our teen volunteer program a few years ago, but we weren’t very vocal about it,” says Stefanie. “We wanted to try it out quietly first and just make sure it would be a good fit for the teens and for our programs.”

After training and working with about ten teenagers age 14 and up, Stefanie says it’s clearly a success.

“We work with them to place them in roles that play to their strengths,” says Stefanie. “Some are really confident working with the public, so they’re a perfect fit for the Compassionate Care Center’s hospitality desk. Others like more behind-the-scenes work, so they’ve helped with office tasks at our Berea office or at the Center or even done outdoor work.”

Madison Miller, a junior at Berea Community High School, belongs to the former group. She’s comfortable interacting with patients, family members, visitors and the range of people who call the Compassionate Care Center. And she gets something out of it, too.

“I want to attend UK and study immunology, so volunteering with Hospice Care Plus seemed like the perfect opportunity,” says Madison. “I was motivated to do it for that reason and because I love helping others in any way I can.”

Madison works at the Compassionate Care Center’s front desk every Sunday and appreciates the chance to interact with patients and their families.

“You never know what one little gesture can do,” says Madison. “You feel like you’re doing something good and making a difference.”

“Madison is one of several incredible teens we’ve had the honor to work with,” says Stefanie. “I’m so proud of them for making the decision to give back. And I know it helps them build confidence, gain experience, and hone their social skills as they prepare for college and career. In that sense, it really is a good thing all the way around.”

Hospice Care Plus is a non-profit organization serving Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties. Services include hospice care, palliative care, bereavement support, and hospice inpatient care at the Hospice Care Plus Compassionate Care Center.