Volunteering Rebounds at the Wartburg

By Lew Koflowitz

The Wartburg, a highly rated senior residence, nursing facility, and rehabilitation center in southern Westchester is experiencing a rebound in volunteer interest this year, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

In operation since 1866 (157 years), Wartburg began as an orphanage caring for children left parentless by family deaths during the Civil War. Over the years, it has grown to include the full range of senior care and services. Today, it cares for a total of 284 residents in independent and assisted living, long-term care and memory care. In addition, Warburg has an 80-bed rehabilitation facility.

Wartburg, a fully integrated, multi-building facility, sits on a beautiful 34-acre campus in Mount Vernon, on the border of the Bronx. Its facilities and services run the gamut of senior care – independent senior living (town homes and apartments), affordable senior living (apartments), assisted living, long-term nursing care, palliative & hospice care, adult day care, memory care (dementia, Alzheimer’s), and respite care. In addition, Wartburg provides Westchester’s only freestanding inpatient rehabilitation center and also offers home healthcare for those seniors who wish to continue living at home and are able to do so.

Wartburg is currently building an Alzheimer’s and dementia care center which is slated for opening in the fall of 2023. The New Living Center will be a state-of-the-art facility that will bring resources and support to those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia related diseases. The building will consist of 64 beds and will include an event space, music therapy room and designated areas for service, management, staff, and support.

Superior Quality Recognized

Every day, the organization continues to work toward its vision of being “a national model for excellence in integrated senior healthcare and housing.”

The data indicate that this vision is becoming a reality. Independent evaluations of Wartburg’s facilities and services recognize the organization’s high quality of care. In January 2023, Wartburg was named one of the “Best Nursing Homes in New York State” by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) for the eighth straight year. It received the highest quality rating – 5 stars -- from USNWR, making it one of only 38 nursing institutions in New York State with this top rating. Nationwide, only 16 percent of qualified senior care facilities have earned the top rating.

Wartburg management is understandably proud of this accomplishment. In response to the latest US News rating, Bridget Zimmerman, Warburg’s Skilled Nursing Facility Administrator, said, “the quality of service that Wartburg provides continues to be recognized, even in healthcare’s most challenging period. In a time where long-term care facilities faced a worldwide pandemic and worked tirelessly to manage through [the pandemic] and protect our residents, Wartburg’s team of frontline staff and management has proven its loyalty to quality service and care. We are so proud of this recognition.”

Volunteering at the Wartburg

“At Wartburg, volunteers are crucial to providing superior service to our residents,” says Kerry Minto, Associate for Institutional Advancement and Director of Volunteerism. “Our volunteers assist and augment the efforts of our outstanding staff of 500.”

Volunteering is again on the rise at Wartburg. Prior to the Covid pandemic, volunteer levels were about 400. In the past year, the number of volunteers totaled 250-300. “This year, we’re going to be back to pre-pandemic levels,” says Minto. “Many of our previous volunteers couldn’t wait to come back.”

You can find listings to volunteer at the Wartburg on the Volunteer New York! website (www.volunteernewyork.org). Or to express interest in volunteering contact Kerry Minto at (914) 513-5308 or kminto@wartburg.

The Wartburg’s volunteer roster encompasses people of the widest range of ages – from high school and college students to seniors in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

“Volunteers are used where they are needed most, e.g., for programs and development, including fundraising events, open houses, and birthday celebrations,” says Minto.

College student volunteers are recruited from area colleges such as Sarah Lawrence, Iona, Fordham, and SUNY Purchase. Students volunteer for internship credit or because they plan to go into the caring fields. The Wartburg also attracts older adults and seniors to handle caring activities for residents, such as providing conversation and companionship.

Volunteers at Wartburg are needed in both healthcare and non-medical roles at the Mt. Vernon campus:

“We are seeking creative and enthusiastic volunteers to enrich the lives of our residents. Whether you’re a student seeking credit, recently retired in a career transition or feel compelled to better serve your community, volunteering at Wartburg enables you to share your knowledge and talents.”

In addition to helping with special events (e.g., fundraisers, etc.), the Wartburg’s website lists a host of the non-medical roles that are available to volunteers:

• Recreational activities

• Escort and transport

• Sharing talents with residents

• Mealtime assistance

• Friendly visits with residents

• Library service

• Discussion groups with residents

• Pet visits

• Worship on wheels (escorting residents to Sunday services)

• Clerical support

• Gift shop attendant

• Helping residents with technology

Learn more about the Wartburg on their website at wartburg.org. To learn about the activities of the vibrant Wartburg community, go to their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thewartburg.

Happy New Year . . . Still!! Enhance this Year by Volunteering

By Jackee Cannino

All right, I know it’s only been a hot minute since we’ve cleaned up the confetti, packed away the noisemakers, put down the “bubbly,” removed those unattractive “2023” glasses and discarded those meagerly thought-through resolutions. But the year is “still young” and there are many months ahead to find meaningful volunteer opportunities, take care of ourselves and others, and own 2023!

I need not reiterate how the pandemic impacted our personal, professional, and volunteering lives in ways that are less than memorable. Yet despite the challenges of isolation, masks, sanitizer, distance, fear, and apprehension, volunteering persevered.

Yes, there was pivoting, modifications, creativity and thinking outside the proverbial “box,” but volunteers persisted and those in need of our help and support, received it.

2023 is still young!! Winter will soon be in our rearview mirror... and the birds will be chirping! What better time to start reviewing, revitalizing, and rebirthing our volunteering passions? Happily, many of our stations (our non-profit partners) are experiencing a rebound from Covid, the expansion of volunteer opportunities and the resurgence of new and returning volunteers.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Valerie Brown, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Our conversation was congenial, friendly and encouraging as we discussed their many programs. Currently, their greatest and most immediate need is for a 1:1 mentoring program. If each of us looks back on our lives and careers, undoubtedly we could identify at least one individual who supported, encouraged and mentored us. And I am certain we could list the benefits we've obtained from those relationships. It has been shown that mentored youth have healthier relationships, make better lifestyle choices, have a better attitude toward school, lower high school drop-out rates, higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations. Equally as important are enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence, improved behavior and stronger relationships with parents, teachers and peers.

Big Brothers Big Sisters' mentoring program provides opportunities for youngsters ages 7 through 17, to participate with you, the volunteer, in active/community-based interactions. As would be expected, there is an intake process, which includes an interview and training. Discussions regarding interests, skills, and experiences during the interview process assist in matching volunteer and student. The understood commitment is that volunteer and student spend a minimum of four (4) hours a month or two (2) outings per month working in the local community.

In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a virtual tutoring program for students in grades four (4) through high school. Tutor preferences and skills are identified and used in matching student and tutor. Although no specific time requirement is listed, it is hoped that the commitment would be at least one (1) hour per week. Big Brothers Big Sisters also holds yearly events such as a Summer BBQ, Holiday Parties and Toy Drive. If you know a child, be it grandchild, niece, nephew, or neighbor, you have likely seen (or heard about) the impact the pandemic has had on children, and not only educationally.

Why not give serious consideration to Big Brothers Big Sisters as a “new” volunteer experience in this “New Year?”

Stacy Winitt, Senior Director, Volunteer Engagement at YPIE (Yonkers Partners In Education) shared her excitement about a new program for which they are seeking volunteers. They are looking for tutors of higher level math and science subjects, e.g., trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, or physics. The program runs weekly from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tutors may work with the same individual, a variety of students or a small group, for all or part of the 3:30-6:00 p.m. session. The time commitment is a minimum of one-and-one-half hours, once a week to ensure consistency for the students. The program is part of YPIE's College Zone, located at 92 Main Street in Yonkers, and serves as the after-school hub for students from all nine (9) Yonkers Public High Schools. This after-school, in-person opportunity will certainly tickle the fancy of our math and science lovers!

Mt.Vernon Youth Bureau's Deputy Director, Dena Williams, shared how RSVP volunteers have supported her organization. Their Safe Haven After School Program is actively seeking volunteers. This program provides academic support in English and Math, with the goal of preparing students for middle and high school. In addition, Safe Haven provides opportunities for children, ages 7-12, to make constructive use of out-of-school time via homework assistance and enrichment activities. Mt. Vernon Youth Bureau is big on intergenerational programs, hence their partnership with RSVP volunteers. Looking toward the future, Ms. Williams hopes to start an intergenerational book club with students and senior volunteers.

DOROT (the Hebrew name for “generations”) has as its mission “to alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older adults in these post-Covid times; what could be more pressing and relevant!? On its website, DOROT cites some of the devastating consequences of social isolation and loneliness on individuals, especially the older adult population. When speaking with Margo Brooks, DOROT's Program Coordinator, I was heartened by the variety of programs, both remote and in-person, for which they are seeking volunteers.

Friendly Visiting, DOROT's signature program, connects volunteers and older adults via on-going visits. Through the sharing of life experiences, hobbies, interests, ideas and/or opinions, relationships develop. I suggest you visit DOROT's website, where you will find delightful videos that beautifully exemplify this program. Their Response Team programming connects volunteers and older adults for occasional social engagements, such as Birthday Celebrations or Activity Requests. Volunteering for Birthday Celebrations may include delivering a birthday package provided by DOROT, and making a visit or following-up with a phone call.

Activity Request would connect a volunteer with an older adult who may have a specific request such as going for a walk, playing a game, helping to organize photos, or selecting books at the library. For those who may not be able to meet in person, Telephone Friends connects volunteers and older adults through weekly phone calls. DOROT's Social Work Department provides on-going support to all of their programs. Volunteers will go through an application process which includes orientation, interview, references, and background checks to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all.

So now that you know a bit more about four (4) of our stations: Big Brothers Big Sisters, YPIE, Mt. Vernon Youth Bureau and DOROT, I hope that I have piqued your interest in exploring these and RSVP's twenty-five (25) other Stations. This seems like a perfect time to try something “new” for the “New Year.” Although you may have discarded those meagerly thought-through resolutions, start now with a renewed, fresh eye on volunteering . . . it's healthy for us all!! Volunteering is a “win-win,” its value priceless for both recipient and volunteer. Take this “New Year” to deepen community connections, build new relationships, reduce stress, and feel better physically and emotionally by being a volunteer. In the words of Mary Wollstonecraft, a renowned women's rights activist: “The beginning is always today.”