Making an Impact: Art Brings Isolated Senior and Volunteer Together
In the Making an Impact series, clients and services are featured to expand awareness of the wide array of help available at JFS and to ensure donors understand the lives they touch and the difference they make throughout the community.
“Kate,” an isolated senior, called to request support and social interaction from a JFS volunteer. She was looking for someone with whom she could discuss and share artwork. When COVID began, she lost access to a program that allowed her to express her creative talents and interact with other artists.
Pam, a volunteer who has been making supportive calls since the COVID lockdown began, was thrilled to be asked to call Kate. She had already shared her artistic talent in the Cards of Kindness campaign that distributed handmade cards and greetings to residents in local care facilities.
Pam is a retired social worker who has embraced her love for creating beautiful artwork to a new level, including a website where she shares her work in digital form, occasionally even making a sale.
Pam called Kate and learned that Kate lives on her own and has two small dogs. Kate said that she tries to stay connected to her friends with calls and email. They explored possible art classes online and enrolled in a four-part class on the internet. They both took the class and emailed each other photos of pieces they worked on.
“It is really nice to connect with another amateur artist during this time of isolation,” said Pam. “I think I get as much out of our conversations as Kate does, and we share ideas freely.”