Community Stories

May 25, 2022

Cassilda and Tracey

Tracey Miller was already a Heart2Heart volunteer, helping seniors at care center craft events with a group of volunteers. But God was calling her to something new. 

Recently, she began visiting Cassilda Smith at her home through Heart2Heart’s Relief C.A.R.E. program. Their visits began every Tuesday and soon blossomed into more. 

“It’s turned into a very beautiful relationship,” Tracey explained. “I gain so much from her. She has such a beautiful heart, and she loves the Lord with all of it.”

Cassilda lives on her own. She has family in Florida, but not very close. She has friends who visit to check on her. 

A home care nurse comes to help Cassilda with personal care tasks for a couple of hours in the mornings. But the nurse isn’t very interested in conversation. And that is what Cassilda craved most of all. 

Tracey, on the other hand, enjoys listening to Cassilda reminisce about her life. She’ll watch Cassilda’s favorite soap opera with her and talk about it. She picks her up for doctor’s appointments and helps her run errands. 

“My darling Tracey! It’s like I birthed Tracey,” Cassilda said. “She’s very helpful!” 

Tracey said their relationship was easy, even from the start. 

“She’s a very sweet woman,” she said. “She never asks for much, other than my time. She just wants to spend time together.”

Tracey never misses a week visiting Cassilda. If she has to move the visit to a different day, she asks Cassilda ahead of time. 

“It is, I believe, the highlight of her week, just to have someone to sit there and talk to,” Tracey said. “I would never let her down.”

Cassida calls her in between visits, about every other day, just to talk. 

Tracey said she is inspired by Cassilda’s faith, despite quite a bit of physical hardships she currently endures. 

“Every day, she wakes up and praises God. Through pain and loneliness, she continues to say how good God is to her. That’s been beautiful for me to witness,” Tracey said. “She is definitely someone that I would hope to be like when I get to my point in life.”

Tracey said she would advise anyone considering becoming a Relief C.A.R.E. volunteer to remain open to whatever way God wants to show up in the relationship.

“It’s an investment of your heart, not just your time, because you become attached,” Tracey said. “Expect that it’s going to be special for both of you.”

Relief Care volunteers undergo an additional level of background checks and training. Learn more here.  

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

May 25, 2022

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

Read more …

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

On March 15th, members of Lauderhill Seventh-Day Adventist Church and their families brought joy, creativity, and compassion to seniors at Active Senior Living and Fort Lauderdale Health and Rehab.

Through wreath-making, songs, and a Bible-based skit, they reminded residents that they are seen, loved, and never alone.

This powerful day of connection beautifully reflects Heart2Heart’s mission to restore dignity and hope to isolated seniors—one loving act at a time.

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors-2/

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

On February 22nd, Heart2Heart partnered with Parkridge Church and Community Christian Church to bring warmth and companionship to seniors across eight care facilities in Broward County.

Volunteers filled the day with heartfelt conversations, games, and meaningful connections, replacing loneliness with joy and belonging.

One resident, Mary, shared through happy tears, “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. It feels good to know someone cares.”

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors/

Heart2Heart Volunteers Launch Relief Care Program to Support CaregiversTeens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

Heart2Heart Volunteers Launch Relief Care Program to Support CaregiversTeens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

This month, we’re celebrating Christ Community Church and their amazing youth group for bringing festive cheer to the seniors at Residential Plaza Blue Lagoon in Miami. Through games like Christmas Bingo, Scrabble, and Dominoes, these teens created a joyful holiday atmosphere, building connections that bridged generations. Their warmth and kindness reminded everyone of the true spirit of community. Thank you, Christ Community Church, for inspiring us all to bring light and love to those who need it most!

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/teens-bring-holiday-joy-to-seniors/

Teens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

Teens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

This month, we’re celebrating Christ Community Church and their amazing youth group for bringing festive cheer to the seniors at Residential Plaza Blue Lagoon in Miami. Through games like Christmas Bingo, Scrabble, and Dominoes, these teens created a joyful holiday atmosphere, building connections that bridged generations. Their warmth and kindness reminded everyone of the true spirit of community. Thank you, Christ Community Church, for inspiring us all to bring light and love to those who need it most!

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/teens-bring-holiday-joy-to-seniors/