Jennifer Williams

RELS 1310
Service Learning Final Paper
November 30, 2014
The service learning project I decided on was to volunteer at Sunrise Senior Living. One
of the reasons I decided on working with the elderly was because its a demographic I have never
worked with before besides family members. I have always chosen kids to work with or the
service learning site has been chosen by the instructor. I chose this particular site because I have
had the pleasure of speaking with several of the residents on several occasions when they are at
my job. I sit and talk to them while they wait on the Sunrise bus to pick them up and they are
some of the happiest people.
The problem or societal need that my service learning provider seeks to address is
helping the elderly feel at home while living in a community away from home and family. One
of the things that challenged me was learning to interact with the residents. I had to remember
that I had to talk loudly for some of the residents and because some were suffering from
Alzheimers they would converse with me and ask or tell me the same thing several times.
One of the most satisfying things was observing the care managers with the residents. My
first day volunteering was a busy day because it was the day chosen for the Thanksgiving lunch
with the residents and their family members. The care managers were very familiar with the
residents families. The family members would talk with the care managers about painting their
family members nails and nail polish colors. Some of the care managers knew the residents
wouldnt eat the meals so they wouldnt force them to eat it. For example, the care managers
were telling me about one resident that only would eat grill cheese sandwiches and the care
managers gave her the meal anyway knowing she wouldnt eat it. Because I was new the resident

kept telling me that she wanted to eat and no one was bringing her the food even though she had
a plate in front of her. The families would talk to the care managers about how their family
member was doing. There was an occasion when I went to the function where a piano player
came to play for the residents. I watched as a resident shivered because she was cold. One of the
care managers noticed and came over with a blanket and the resident seemed surprised. After a
while she was still shivering and the care manager came back over again with another blanket
and made her comfortable.
When I first arrived I was sent to accompany the residents to prayer services so that is
where I found God most present. I would say God was most present during the times I heard
some of the kitchen workers talk negatively about other employees.
I think that sin doesnt play a role in the need for this service learning provider. I do feel
however, that there is a possibility for sins to be committed easier because of the elderly being
susceptible and easily manipulated.
Volunteering at Sunrise expanded my understanding of Jesus command to love one
another by observing the connection between the residents and their care managers. There was
something genuine about the way some of the care managers cared for the residents. Their
interactions were very caring. They knew all the residents names and some had only been
working there a few months. The readings about vocation and the care managers were
comparable because some of the care managers truly are made for their work. They didnt all
view it as a job.
I experienced hospitality as a guest because the employees and residents treated me as if I
was part of their team. I was even offered a position because of the good job I did. I was told I
have the perfect laid back temperament to work with the elderly. The residents families kept

telling me how I was doing a good job and when I was assisting with setting up the dining area I
picked up on things so quickly some thought I worked there. I was a stranger to them so they
couldve treated me like a volunteer but they treated me like I was one of them. I also noticed
how much hospitality was shown from care manager to the residents. They really gave great care
to the residents. They could easily just do their job and nothing more but they really treat the
residents like people and not like they are helpless old people. I also showed hospitality to
everyone else. I guess I could have found way to avoid dealing with the residents and stayed in
the kitchen or somewhere else but I wanted to interact with the residents and their families. After
all, thats what I came there to do. I wasnt expecting to deals with the residents and their
families. I had no idea that so many things would be happening on the first day I volunteered so I
had to adapt and go with the flow. Not only was I working with an unfamiliar group I had twice
as many people to deal with unannounced.
Son of the themes I talked about in my journal entries were theology and medicine from
Ellen Charrys By the Renewing of Your Mind, suffering from When Suffering Persists by
Frederick W. Schmidt, aspect of pain from The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis, and healing from
The Meaning of Healing by Thomas Egnew. These themes connect to the service learning
experience because I know that the residents may be going through suffering, pain, healing and
theology and medicine because of their ages. Whether its physically, mentally or spiritually they
are experiencing one of the themes. In When Suffering Persists Schmidt talked about everyone
experiencing suffering. I watched Mrs. K discuss where each resident was going to sit with their
families and I also listen to her say some residents would not have family attending. It has to feel
sad to not have family enjoy a holiday activity with you. I also helped a resident that had a
walker that had breast cancer symbols on it. She was either suffering, in pain or healing or maybe

had gone through it in the past. This experience challenged and changed my understanding of the
Christian idea of God because before this experience I had negative thoughts about
retirement/elderly community homes. There are stories about abuse from the workers and
manipulation of the elderly and taking their money. I know that it still exists but the interaction
of the care managers and the residents lets me know that not all are bad and that some people
choose to do the right thing and go above and beyond what they have to do. Knowing that people
have free will to do good or bad was the most helpful theological idea as I did my service
learning.
I have been personally changed through this service learning because my views of these
types of homes are more positive. I didnt think I would be so happy after volunteering but the
interactions between the residents and care managers and those in charge was so friendly and
nurturing. While helping during the meal I had to serve and pour drinks at the tables for the
residents and their families. Ive never been a waitress I think I did a pretty good job. I even
wore a hairnet when I worked in the kitchen.
Overall it was a great experience. I passed by Sunrise every day. I even told Mrs. K that
one would never know so much was going on inside. Its literally like a small city. The people
are so welcoming. Many of our readings fit my experience at Sunrise. I thought a line in
Guadium at Spes summarizes everything by saying love for God and neighbor is the first and
greatest commandment. Also number 25, Mans social nature makes it evident that the progress
of the human persons and the advance of society itself hinge on one another pretty much
summarizes everything that I observed during my days of volunteering. I truly enjoyed this
experience and will choose it again.