I am writing this to ask you to donate to an agency that is dear to my heart and has been very important for me for the last 2 years. In reflecting on my career I decided to go back to school for Gerontology as I felt I could have an impact on a hugely growing demographic and one that is often isolated in there communities. My placement was at Dixon Hall where I ran a range of activities for a group of older adults who faced physical challenges and who have been diagnosed with a form of Dementia. They did not just treat me as a volunteer but gave me an opportunity to grow as a professional and to directly facilitate programs and other very meaningful opportunities for which I am very grateful and still continue to volunteer

It was this experience that reinforced my passion for this field and it was this experience that made me committed to this field and committed to making a difference in the lives of older adults that are to often isolated and do not have the opportunity to participate in the community. I personally have seen a difference Dixon Hall programs make in the lives of older adults and the smiles and energy they get from being in a group of peers. Weather it is during morning coffee and being able to talk or the smile that comes from accomplishing a task or the happiness and excitement in their voice from reminiscing about their past lives and passion. I remember when running an exercise activity I asked each member to say something they enjoy about being at Dixon Hall as I passed around the ball. They all said they enjoyed being around everyone and that they were always happy to be at the program. I also remember when an older adult would tell me stories of their past travels and the joy it brought to there face. Yet to often older adults are not able to tell their stories and celebrate their successes and past, as they are often isolated.

I specifically volunteer with there Alzheimer program where my mentorship and training has allowed me to be very effective and to understand how the journey can still be filled with hope and optimism and how to enter their journey. The staff showed me what it meant to enter someone journey and demonstrated how to see them for who they are instead of seeing them for the condition. Most importantly they demonstrated that when you allow them to thrive and enter their journey with them in a supportive and Yet there are to few programs in the community so the work Dixon Hall does is of vital importance