Retire-To Volunteering

What’s a friend? Someone with whom you can laugh, someone who helps you with little things and big things, someone who makes you feel special—that’s a friend! Jan Lockard is good at being that friend to two ladies, who happen to be in a nursing home. That’s her volunteer service as a Senior Companion with the Tennessee Respite Coalition.

After a mental illness “blows up”, people often say they “knew something was wrong.” But they didn’t know what was going on or where to turn for the prevention and intervention that could have helped. Mental Health America’s goal is to educate individuals, families, caregivers, pastors, law enforcement, and society, moving them past the stigma attached to mental illness to recognizing the signs and to helping those who suffer receive services that lead to recovery and greater well-being.

One in every seven people in Nashville experiences food insecurity every day. Nearly 1,000 volunteers every month have looked back on their own experiences of hunger—however brief or long—and decided that they don’t want their neighbors to go without. They put their love of food and their love of people to work at The Nashville Food Project.

For people struggling with meeting needs for food, housing, and other basics, going to the dentist feels like a luxury they simply can’t afford. But without a healthy smile, people suffer in surprising ways—physically, socially, and economically. The Interfaith Dental Clinic works to change lives. They restore smiles!

Patients who need care and social interaction, caregivers who are stretched to the limit and need a break, and volunteer Senior Companions who step in as friends to meet both needs are all winners through the Tennessee Respite’s matching.

Johnny Rose has always loved nature. After moving to Nashville, he discovered the 3,100+ acres of the Warner Parks and spent many wonderful hours there walking with his dog or with friends. When he retired, he decided he would like to be part of something bigger than himself. He chose hummingbirds!

094 Faye Maynard—Project Connect Nashville

Since 1865 the Salvation Army has collected money Christmas after Christmas for people in need, including children and seniors who benefit from being chosen from the Angel Trees. But that's not all the Salvation Army does. Recognizing that there are no quick fixes, the organization has wrap-around services to get individuals and families back on track. Volunteers assist in numerous ways.

Volunteer Coordinator for the 3,200 acre Warner Parks, Paul Fowler points out that other natural areas—both in metro Nashville and in Tennessee's state park system, and also across the country—need volunteers to preserve and protect as well as to enjoy them. Giving back to nature, whether through a one-and-done or regular commitment not only feeds the volunteers' soul but everyone else's for years to come.

People often think that greyhounds need to be rescued from an abusive racing situation. Or they worry that such a big dog will be aggressive. Greyhound Pets of America, and volunteers like Kathy Jackson, are rescuing people from their misconceptions to find forever homes for the retired racers.

Without being able to drive, aging adults can easily lose the means for taking care of themselves physically. They may also be unable to maintain social contacts and to do what gives them purpose in life. They are in danger of premature decline. Senior Ride Nashville's creators—the Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee and the Senior Transportation Leadership Coalition—recognized the hazards of no longer being able to drive and found a way to meet the need with the help of volunteers like Sue Baumgartner

Nearly 40 years ago the Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C. stepped into the job market—not for themselves, but for others. A group of members realized their neighbors in a nearby low-income housing project were struggling to find work. So with the call to "love your neighbor" in their hearts, they began Jubilee Jobs, which has subsequently prepared and placed nearly 26,000 people in the workforce.

Like many people whose professional life keeps them behind a desk, Pat Dishman longed to be outside. Unlike many people in that circumstance, Pat did something! Ten years before she retired, she began volunteering on weekends with Friends of Warner Parks. May through October on the Friday night closest to the full moon you’ll find her at the Full Moon Pickin’ Party.

You care about others, and you are adventuresome. Volunteering overseas appeals to you, but not at the price quoted in the fancy brochures! You and Nelson Santos are kindred spirits. Fortunately, he's blazed a trail for you. With his help, you can volunteer overseas—for free.

Monroe Harding has been providing care for 125 years, first for orphans and now for the young people in foster care. They regularly see foster families open their hearts and homes because they know that their loving care is a needed and positive agent of change for a young person and for generations to come.