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Why I Work for Sheltering Arms Joan Arnold I work for Sheltering Arms Senior Services because at the Day Center we look at our members’ strengths and what they can do, rather than what they can no longer do. We give them praise and encouragement to keep contributing. I remember a Post Oak School student who recited the Pledge of Allegiance for one of our many World War II veterans. In return, the member taught him how to play dominoes. We share many successes like this throughout the day. I’ve appreciated older adults since I was a young girl, when I began volunteering at the hospital where my aunt worked as a nurse. I brought patients their mail, and read to them. I discovered that learning about their life experiences and accomplishments was rewarding. At the Day Center, we discuss many life experiences such as raising families, excelling in business, traveling the world and contributing to their communities. The collective wisdom is amazing. I feel extremely privileged to work at a place where families entrust their loved ones to feel safe, well cared for and valued, so they can tend to other responsibilities. Our members are on a journey, coping and living with their disease. As we go along that journey with them, we are reminded that cognitively, our members only have the moment that they are in. And we get to be there, in the moment, with them.
Jan Edwards I work for Sheltering Arms Senior Services because of its effectiveness and who we serve: seniors. Sheltering Arms is progressive, the vanguard of aging in Houston. We have a strong board of directors and strategic plan. We develop new programs that improve our clients’ lives, but also the community. Whether it’s finding better ways to do something, filling in the gaps or investing in something that wasn’t there before, we are there, working on the cutting edge. I supervise the most dedicated, skilled and bright people who possess a commitment to our mission of promoting dignity and independence for older adults. Part of my duty as a social worker is giving back and contributing to gerontology’s future. We provide field training to graduate students specializing in gerontology at both the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. We impact other students, too, some as far away as Hong Kong. The seniors are amazing. I am awed by the strength, resilience and wisdom they’ve gained going through times we only imagine.
Maribel Rodriguez
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