Community Stories

October 26, 2022

volunteer of the month Cecilia Pardo

Cecilia Pardo, our Volunteer of the Month for October, has volunteered with us for a little over a month, but she’s already made a big impact on the lives of seniors in South Florida. 

More importantly, she has discovered a fountain of joy in her new work. 

“It has been amazing. I’m so happy,” Cecilia said. “I don’t know why I have such a connection with elderly people. They’re just beautiful to me.”

Already, Cecilia has visited three different care centers, including MiCasa Senior Living in Hollywood and Sonata Coconut Creek. She’s been helping residents learn how to use their new iPads at Atlantis Senior Care in Oakland Park through Heart2Heart’s C.A.R.E. Tech Program

She’s also delivered meals to seniors living independently through Food for Hope

“I want to bring happiness to the elderly if I can and fill a bit of their day that otherwise would be boring,” Cecilia said. “They melt my heart. It makes me sad that a lot of them don’t end up receiving a lot of visitors.”

Cecilia’s 95-year-old grandmother lives in an assisted living facility in Argentina. Ever since her grandmother’s stroke about four years ago, Cecilia has prioritized her annual international visits. 

During a recent visit, Cecilia realized how much she loved interacting with all the residents in the facility.

“I was obsessed with everyone, not only my grandmother,” she said with a laugh. 

Over the summer, Cecilia resigned from her job of 11 years. She had been working as a senior project manager but decided to make a change. 

“I realized that job wasn’t allowing me to do what made me happy,” she said. “Whatever my work schedule is in the future, I’ll definitely make time to volunteer, which is something I didn’t do before.”

At first, Cecilia wasn’t sure where to volunteer. She knew she wanted to help either children with special needs — like she did as a teacher for five years — or seniors at a care center. 

Through VolunteerMatch.org, she learned about Heart2Heart.

“Heart2Heart makes it a lot easier for someone to start volunteering,” she said. “I like that it offers a wide range of programs 

Cecilia doesn’t regret taking her sabbatical from working to invest in herself and her new passion. 

“My favorite thing to do is going to the centers. I love just playing games with the seniors and spending the whole hour, just talking to them,” she said. “They all have different stories. It’s really nice.”

Heart2Heart thanks Cecilia for spreading joy to our seniors!

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!

October 26, 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/