Building a family away from home

       With the holiday season approaching, one student organization has made it its mission to connect with residents of the Vermillion Care Center.

     The Student Engagement & Refinement for Volunteering Empowerment (SERVE) organization’s Adopt-A-Grandparent volunteer program has made an impact on the environment of the Care Center, especially over the holidays. 

     Adopt-A-Grandparent typically has two events every month which are open to the public. Additionally, three to four students, who are assigned to a member of the Care Center, visit them for an hour each week.

     Zach Moydell is the activities Supervisor for Sanford Vermillion Care Center. He said that residents may not always have family that is able to visit during the holidays, so it’s “nice to have that extra set of hands with volunteer programs to help out.” The Care Center decorates so it feels like “home for the holidays” for the residents. 

     Madison Meier is the social secretary chair for SERVE’s Adopt-A-Grandparent, who helps decide what the events will be. Their most recent event was on Oct. 8, which included

crafting a  fall wreath. These events usually draw about ten to 30 residents. 

     “It brings a sense of community,” Meier said. 

     Meier said some residents may have grandchildren who are out of state. So the Adopt-A-Grandparent program is similar to residents having a new grandchild to learn and love. For the college students, it reminds them of visiting their own grandparents. 

     Moydell said that he encourages volunteers to interact with the residents. Whether that’s one-on-ones in their room or working on an activity with them, residents need human connection. 

     “The residents love it. It’s positive for everyone who wants to participate,” Moydell said. 

     The Adopt-A-Grandparent program bridges the gap between college students and the Care Center residents. Residents and college students get to interact with people that they wouldn’t typically on a daily basis. 

     “Having [new] faces come in there, they get to learn more about campus life,” Meier said. 

     Some Care Center members may not have gotten the opportunity to attend college. Meier said that they are “fascinated to learn about what college is like.”

     Adopt-A-Grandparent is a program that benefits both the resident and the student. Even with the age gap, there is still an opportunity to learn about each other’s experiences when conversing. Moydell said that some of the residents have life experiences and stories that can be beneficial to anyone, but especially the younger generation.

     “They’re different sources of wisdom. Everything that you’ve been doing, I promise you, they’ve done before,” Meier said. 

     Meier said that they’re fascinated by how well students can use technology and have numerous extracurriculars on their plate. Conversations with residents also help students learn how to have an intellectual conversation with people that are older than them. 

     Moydell said that this experience has the opportunity for students to be exposed to a career in long-term care. 

     The next event will be held at the Vermillion Care Center from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 22, where they’re planning to paint pumpkins.