In her own words – Julia, Volunteer Coordinator

We asked Julia what it means to be a Volunteer Coordinator in hospice care. This is what she shared.

Tell us what a Volunteer Coordinator does within a hospice company.

A Volunteer Coordinator wears many hats. We have the privilege of finding kindred spirits who want to give back in some way. It’s our job to find the right fit for each volunteer – to educate, train, and encourage them on their giving journey. We also provide support and encouragement to help them be successful and feel appreciated.

What is the volunteer’s role?

Our Direct Care Volunteers perform a variety of activities that offer support to our patients, their families, and our team. They provide companionship, socialization, pet therapy, and spiritual support, and they are present at the end of life’s journey. I am truly blessed to have such amazing volunteers who are dedicated, kind, and compassionate about what they do. They truly have hearts of gold.

Please share a memorable experience you've had while working with volunteers in hospice care.

There have been so many memorable experiences. One that keeps coming to mind is this year’s food drive. My volunteers help with sorting, counting, and weighing the donations. This year, I had one brave soul who stood outside in the cold, pouring down rain for four hours to help me collect donated items. That is one dedicated volunteer! We had so much fun, and it was a great experience for a great cause.

If someone were looking for an opportunity to volunteer their time, why should they spend it volunteering for a hospice agency?

It takes a special type of person to work in hospice, let alone volunteer freely of their time. When I’m talking to people about the wonderful ways they can volunteer with our company, I like to emphasize how rewarding it is to help those who are on the final journey of life. We are their light in the dark times. It’s like a sundae: our team makes up the base, but the volunteer is the cherry on top.

What qualities do you look for in hospice volunteers?

I look for individuals who truly want to give of their time in some way. They express compassion and empathy and want to share their gifts with others. I always say you can teach the hard skills, but the soft skills come from the heart. It’s ingrained in their soul.

If you have questions about hospice care, please contact us at 888-436-8482. Interested in joining our incredible team? Visit https://careers.gentivahs.com. Or if you feel called to volunteer your time to deserving patients and families, tell us about yourself at https://www.gentivahs.com/careers/volunteers.