Stories of Greenwich House Volunteers

Take a moment to read about some of the people who have been touched by the generous spirits of Greenwich House volunteers. Children Safety Project Personal Stories Senior Personal Stories Children Safety Project Personal Stories Ms. G. lives with her three daughters, ages 12, 13, and 13 (twins!), and works cleaning houses. She was the victim of early physical and sexual abuse, and eventually married a man who treated her violently. Eventually she left him, spending over a year in a domestic violence shelter with the children. Despite ill health and occasional bouts of deep depression, Ms. G works incredibly hard at being a parent. She manages to locate camps, music lessons, and other kinds of extracurricular activities offered to people with very low incomes, and to provide "family activity nights" for all of them (e.g. renting a video and fixing popcorn). She herself is rather isolated and has few social contacts, but takes enormous pride in her daughters and their accomplishments. All of them are doing well in school, and two are consistently among the highest achievers in their schools. The gift card helped greatly in enabling Ms. G. to provide a festive holiday for the family.

Mr. S. is the father of four school-age children ranging in age from 5 to 13. When he learned that their mother was physically abusing them, he initiated proceedings to be awarded custody of the children. He had been living with his girlfriend, who has several children of her own. They have been working very hard to create a blended family, and are diligent about making sure that the children come for their weekly therapy appointments despite many conflicting obligations and rigid job requirements. Mr. S. works in an unskilled capacity, and the extra money was very helpful in defraying Christmas costs for this large family group.

Jasmine C was first seen here at age 16. She had been the victim of ongoing incestuous abuse by her stepfather for many years, and was suffering from the most severe posttraumatic stress symptoms, requiring several hospitalizations. Abuse has taken an enormous toll on Jasmine’s sense of well-being, and she often feels depressed, burdened, and old before her time. She is now 21, and has worked incredibly hard and come a long way. She presently attends a senior college in the City University system, having completed an associate's degree at a community college. She has married, and is the diligent mother of a two year-old son. Money for her family is very, very tight as they try to provide good care for their child while furthering their own ambitions. Jasmine was especially happy to receive the extra holiday help because she is so eager to provide her son with "educational" toys to give him a good start.

Senior Personal Stories These are just a few examples of who the gifts were distributed to and their impact, reported by Greenwich House staff:
Ms. D, a very low-income patient, is having her second knee replacement surgery in February, and was pleased with the appropriate, useful warm nightgown and step in slippers. -Clare Lazar, LCSW

Ms. J uses a rolling walker and was touched that she received a purple polar Tec lap robe or shawl. She is grateful for another warm layer since the heat in her apartment is erratic and she likes to sit by the window in her kitchen. She is also happy to know that it is light and warm enough to take with her in her walker's basket when she travels outside. Ms. L, who is wheelchair bound, was thrilled to receive a warm winter hat that really fits her (it covers her ears). She is astoundingly adventuresome as she travels everywhere in this wheelchair. The hat, she says, is perfect for her. -Anne Rose, LCSW

Mr. K, a homebound patient who spends a lot of time in bed loved the 100% cotton flannel pajamas with snap buttons. The snaps are easy for him to manipulate so he can dress himself without the help of a home attendant. This helps him to remain independent and gain self-esteem. Ms. R really loved the Jean Nate body set. She started to cry, saying that she never buys any beauty products for herself and she really appreciated the gift during the Christmas holiday season when she becomes more depressed. -Judy Jones, LCSW.