
Jul. 16, 2014: Jansen Hospice honored its hospice volunteers at a special summer luncheon--a perfect way to celebrate some of the most important people in the Jansen Hospice program.
Laura Hanlon, Jansen Hospice volunteer and bereavement coordinator, organized the lunch at The Old Stone Mill in Tuckahoe to thank the volunteers for the value they bring to Jansen Hospice.
The afternoon was a well-deserved break for the volunteers, who dedicate so much time to Jansen, even before they begin visiting patients. To become a volunteer, people must undergo a five-week training program that prepares them for serving terminally ill patients. They explore new topics each week with the medical, nursing, counseling, and pastoral professionals of Jansen Hospice and learn from other volunteers.
Lori Lahn's experience in the training program was essential for her transformation into a hospice volunteer. Lori admitted, "I was initially hesitant. I didn't know if I could go and visit dying patients. Then a fellow volunteer brought in a book that helped my understanding of the dying process and restored my confidence in what I was doing. I am very thankful she brought in the book." For Lori, and others, time spent with Jansen staff and other volunteers is a necessary step to move to the next level of providing support for patients and their families.
Once training is complete, volunteers travel throughout Westchester to visit patients and do whatever they can to help. Emely Scioli has been a Jansen volunteer for six years and said, "Whenever I go see a patient, I ask for guidance about what they want most, and you have to just open yourself up. By the end of my visits I'm mentally exhausted from giving as much as I possibly can. And that's the best part. I have so much love to give, and it feels good to transfer it to my patients."
Emely puts her own needs out of the way when she visits patients and believes conversation and communication are fundamental to the volunteer-patient relationship. In fact, after one of Emely's patients suffered a stroke and reverted back to her native language of Spanish, Emely took Spanish lessons so they could continue to understand each other. Many volunteers believe communication and ongoing support are the core of hospice, and they're ready to dedicate their time and energy toward the well-being of the Jansen patients and their families.
The Jansen volunteers go above and beyond in what they do, and Laura Hanlon wanted their dedication to be recognized. At the luncheon, Laura told the volunteers, "Thank you for volunteering because you want to, for being caring, for bringing life experiences to what you do, and most importantly, for bringing comfort to the patients and families that you visit."
Most days, Jansen volunteers are so busy "doing what they can" for other people that they don't have a chance to think about the wonderful contribution they make to the community. The luncheon was a day for the hospice volunteers to get together, enjoy, and celebrate themselves.
If you are interested in becoming a Jansen Hospice volunteer, please contact Laura Hanlon at 914-787-6158.
Pictured here: Emely Scioli, Jansen Hospice volunteer.
Photo courtesy Abigail Sprague, Outreach and Marketing Specialist, Lawrence Community Health Services
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
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Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
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Bronxville Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school.
The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
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LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
Bronxville Women's Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”