Friend-to-Friend
“Friends are angels who lift our feet
when our own wings have trouble
remembering how to fly.”
- Anonymous
Persons with disabilities are often left out of the fabric of our
community, and, unfortunately, many have been abandoned by family
and friends. Many of the persons we serve say that it is not the
disability but the isolation accompanying it that poses the greater
pain. This isolation can lead to stress, low-self-esteem, depression,
and illness. Persons with disabilities often feel excluded and undervalued.
For individuals who are lonely and feel “on the outside looking
in”, solutions do not come through more social services but
through personal relationships and opportunities to engage in meaningful
ways in the life of the community.
In our Friend-to-Friend
ministry volunteers are matched with a person we serve for one-on-one
visits and for outings in the community, if that is possible. By
simply being with a person you honor them. You communicate that
they matter. You provide social support and build self-esteem that
can open new opportunities and new adventures. By listening to the
person, taking them seriously and affirming their gifts, you help
another make sense out of their life experiences and help them discover
the unique contributions they have to offer. You enrich your own
life by getting to know someone whose life is different from your
own and have fun as you share life experiences together. Seeing
things through another’s eyes can heighten the beauty of the
experience immeasurably.
Everyone benefits through
the building of relationships of mutuality. Brian, a Friend volunteer
said, “thank you for connecting me with Paul. This relationship
has truly been a highlight of my year.” And Carolyn, also
a Friend volunteer, said, “I wish others had an opportunity
to know Nancy. She is truly a delight and it is a treat for me to
spend time with her.”
Volunteer to be a “Friend”
if:
… you have the gift of conversation
… you enjoy listening to another’s story
… you enjoy outings to parks and malls and restaurants, etc.
… you love to see the image of God made visible in another
person.
Please visit How
to Apply to learn how to sign up to be a “Friend”
volunteer.
We make every attempt to carefully match volunteers with persons
we served based on geography, interests and what each person is
looking for in the relationship. You can choose to volunteer with
a person who has a developmental disability for whom Bridge is the
legal guardian (please see Guardianship
for more information) or with an individual with a physical and/or
developmental disabilities who lives in the community (please see
Pastoral Care,
and Church and
Community for more information). A chaplain or guardianship
specialist will introduce you to the person you are paired up with
and will accompany you on as many visits as appropriate to make
sure that both parties feel comfortable with each other. An orientation
is provided as well as periodic ongoing training (please see Orientation
& Training).
“What
greater thing is there for two souls
than to feel that they are joined…
to strengthen each other…
to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.”
- George Eliot
<back to top>
|
