I spent my summer in a cultural setting that was quite different from the academic ones I’m accustomed to. Through the Alzheimer’s Project, the Clinical Assistant Program (CAP), and my volunteer work with Big Bend Hospice, I was able to enter a setting where the community was something I actively supported and participated in rather than just something I saw. These encounters changed the way I thought about the term “community” and helped me realize that it’s about caring, trust, and a common goal rather than just where you live or who you already know.
I thought that when I started CAP, I would learn how to take vital signs, record patient interactions, and understand clinical procedures. However, I wasn’t prepared for how rapidly I would begin to feel a connection to those around me. Everyone contributed to the community of support that my teachers, fellow CAP students, and even patients established. In addition to promoting education, the setting promoted compassion. Every patient interaction reminded me that healthcare is as much about people as it is about procedures, and everyone has a story to tell. This helped me realize that vulnerability and willingness to support others may create a “community.”
My experience volunteering with Big Bend Hospice has deepened my understanding of what it means to provide comfort and empathy at the most difficult of times. It was my responsibility as a volunteer to just be there. To sit with patients, to be a companion, to give caregivers a break rather than to make any fixes or changes. I realized that every tiny act of service, whether it was helping with minor errands, spending quiet time with a patient, or helping with administrative duties, added to a greater mission of care and dignity. I learned from Big Bend Hospice’s focus on fostering a supportive atmosphere for patients and their families that kindness, perseverance, and the readiness to support one another in times of need are the foundations of a community.
An additional layer was added during my time with the Alzheimer’s Project. Even though many of the people I met had memory loss, they still enjoyed routine, music, and conversation. There was still unity even when words were lost. I learned the value of adjusting to other people’s reality rather than expecting them to meet you in yours from the staff and volunteers’ patient and respectful environment. My understanding of inclusivity and what it means to truly see and support someone has changed.
I felt like I was a part of something greater than myself because of these interactions. Not only did I enter a hospital, hospice, or community center, but I also entered settings where people were cared for regularly, respectfully, and compassionately showing up for others. For me, community now means that. It’s something you build by being present and taking action.
This summer changed the way I think about community. I now see it as an environment that arises when individuals actively work to help one another. I’ve discovered that community is something we choose to create, whether that be by holding someone’s hand, hearing their story, or learning how to give better care.
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