Community Stories

December 15, 2022

Volunteer leads grassroots outreach to seniors

After Yezi Williams left her full-time job to prioritize her family, she wanted a way to serve her own community. She took the initiative and organized her neighbors to make it happen. 

With Heart2Heart’s guidance, they put together 50 goodie bags and delivered them to the residents of Presidential Place in Hollywood. 

“For so many years, my job kept me in Tamarac,” Yezi explained. “I didn’t get to do a whole lot locally unless it was a weekend with my family.”

“It was nice to be freed up and serving, just because,” she said.

Yezi knew about Heart2Heart from her job as outreach director at Christian Community Church. Heart2Heart had organized outreach opportunities to seniors in care centers during the pandemic and beyond. 

Heart2Heart staff was happy to help her connect to other opportunities in her own backyard. 

Based on Heart2Heart’s recommendations, Yezi purchased the goodies and declared Dec. 9 a family serve day. She let her neighbors know about the opportunity. She connected with the church near her neighborhood, First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, for a meeting place to stuff the bags. 

Last Saturday, about 8 adults and a handful of kids gathered in the church courtyard to put the bags together. Aside from Yezi’s own family, folks come from her neighborhood and from First Presbyterian Church. 

“It was a cool connection because many of the folks from the church across the street have ended up in that center,” Yezi said. “So they knew people in Presidential Place, where we delivered the bags.”

The bags included candies, scratch note pads, crossword puzzles, lotion, fuzzy socks and bracelets that said “Jesus loves you.” The group also wrote notes on Christmas cards to deliver with the bags. 

After they were done stuffing the bags, the group delivered them to the care center, the same day. They made enough bags for each of the 50 residents. 

“They loved their little gifts,” Yezi said. “It’s starting to catch like wildfire. The church wants to do it again for Easter.” 

Now that she’s organized one event, Yezi thinks the group can triple the amount of bags next time. She also was encouraged to hear that the church is discussing picking up seniors so they can attend their outdoor Christmas caroling event. 

Yezi said she was pleased with how the outreach turned out and how easy it was to work with Heart2Heart. 

“Hopefully, this encourages people to do the same and use Heart2Heart to make those connections,” she said. 

To organize your own grassroots community outreach, call the Heart2Heart office at 954-315-2218.

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!

December 15, 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/