When Katrell Johnson and her friends realized that they would be volunteering at Sun Village Homes in Hialeah on a resident’s 86th birthday, it felt natural to help her celebrate.
Little did they know how impactful their gestures would be to the birthday girl, a woman named Julia.
Katrell, 36, and her fellow nursing students were completing their public health rotation in April. Their school partnered with Heart2Heart to help students reach their 50 clinical hours while also benefiting seniors with some much needed interaction.
Kindness Needs No Translation
Most of the residents at Sun Village Homes speak only Spanish, and Katrell doesn’t speak Spanish. Despite a language barrier, Katrell found creative ways to interact with the seniors.
“One of the biggest ways we could communicate was playing dominos because we all know the numbers and how to play,” Katrell said.
She also helped with lunch and just visited with the seniors, keeping them company.
“A lot of them don’t have regular visitors, so it’s a time to be all about them and show them we care,” Katrell said.
The Birthday Surprise
When she learned that Julia was turning 86 on April 12, Katrell and her friends teamed up to do something special for her. Katrell brought cupcakes for the entire facility and some balloons.
Before, Julia only spoke Spanish whenever the nursing students had visited with her.
“When I gave her the balloons and cupcakes, she said ‘Thank you,’ and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, you speak English!’ and she was like, ‘Sometimes. Sometimes’,” Katrell recalls.
It has been years since the last time Julia has celebrated her birthday in any way. Her family lives far away, and she hasn’t seen her daughter in years.
Julia wouldn’t stop clutching her floral “Happy Birthday” balloon. Katrell and friends tied the string to her belt loop so it wouldn’t float away.
Katrell already knew that Julia had a sweet tooth; she’d seen how happy it made her when another resident always gave her her cookies.
But the cupcakes were a huge hit! Julia ate three of them, always choosing one with pink frosting over the yellow and blue ones.
“She was so happy,” Katrell said. “She smiled and laughed a lot. I was so happy for her my cheeks hurt from so much smiling.”
A need for volunteers
Even though her 50 hours of volunteering went quickly, Katrell realized how much of a need there is for people to volunteer with seniors through organizations like Heart2Heart.
Every day can become the same and focused on their routine, and so many seniors are lonely.
“There are a lot of people, like Julia, who aren’t allowed to leave the facility because of memory issues like dementia,” Katrell said. “Some are wheelchair bound and can’t leave easily, so all they know is what’s inside the facility.”
Having people come in and interact, even for an hour or two makes a difference, she said.
“It’s something to look forward to. A lot of these residents don’t have family. Their kids are grown or they’re the only ones left in the country or the world,” Katrell said.
You have the power to make a difference in the life of a senior today. Fill out an application to volunteer.
