TRF’s first ever Volunteer of the Month is 23 year old staff nurse Al John “AJ” Amores.
Q&A with AJ
How did you come to volunteer for TRF?
I was invited by a friend to attend the ELNEC training which is a project of the foundation and that’s how I got started in my TRF journey.
What were your expectations as a volunteer?
I wanted to share the knowledge I gained in school and to help other people who are in need of care and assistance. I also wanted to gain new knowledge about palliative and hospice care and to gain experience in caring for the sick and dying. I also expected to help with office work and to work in arts and crafts projects.
Describe the activities you volunteered for, and why did you choose them?
Patient & Family Support – Because this is actually what I do as a nurse. I wanted to be able to serve with my nursing skills but also to make patients and their families feel important and to make them understand that there is someone to comfort them during times of loneliness.
Crafts/Hobbies/Design – I love the arts and I wanted to share this love with the patients through drawing, painting and other projects and to make them smile.
Office Work – I wanted to assist the TRF staff in making things like power point presentations and the like and to help them accomplish these things on time.
Photography – Taking pictures is what I love to do so I volunteered to help document the memorable events of TRF.
What are your key reflections/lessons? How has the experience changed your life?
Being a TRF volunteer is such a privilege and this was such a happy experience! Every home visit is a memory to keep and an experience of a lifetime. I attended events like Art Therapy where I learned how to appreciate art and how it can be used to help the sick. I also attended other seminars which helped me to understand better what palliative and hospice care is all about. I will treasure these events for the rest of my life. I would also like to thank the TRF staff, who guide and support me and are like a second family to me. Community service enhances my quality of life. I believe it is important to the person who serves as well as to the recipient. It’s a way in which we ourselves grow and develop. Helen Dyer said, “Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” I believe that the secret to being happy is doing things for other people. I am a proud volunteer, and I am proud to be a part of the Ruth foundation.