For Joy Hendrix, volunteering at McGregor became much more than a way to give back; it became a meaningful part of her life.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Joy came to Cleveland to attend Case Western Reserve University, where she studied biology and earned her Master’s in Public Health. Aspiring to become a physician assistant, she plans to continue her education after this year. While involved with the university’s Center for Civic Engagement & Learning (CCEL) program, Joy attended a spring cleanup day at McGregor in 2024. Moving away from home can be hard, but volunteering allowed Joy to feel connected to her new city outside of campus life. By meeting people of all ages and backgrounds, Joy instantly became immersed in Cleveland culture. What started as a one-time volunteering event quickly turned into a weekly commitment.
“I find a lot of value in spending my time giving back,” Joy explained.
Even when balancing school and preparing for the next stages of her education, Joy continued to make time to volunteer at McGregor each week. Rather than feeling like another obligation, volunteering became something she looked forward to each week. The welcoming environment McGregor offered played a huge role in Joy’s decision to come back each week. From her first visit, Joy noticed the kindness and welcoming attitude from everyone she came in contact with.
“Seeing how the staff was excited and genuine about making a safe and comfortable environment made me passionate,” she expressed. “People really make or break a place depending on their attitude. McGregor was always full of positive people who I knew were going to support me.”
During her time here at McGregor, she participated in a variety of activities and events. She would interact with residents, help set up events, and find small ways to brighten their days.
Volunteering allowed her to create a home away from home. She built a stronger connection to Cleveland, while also making connections with staff and residents. Throughout her time here at McGregor, Joy found the greatest reward in the relationships she had the opportunities to form. She loved hearing stories from residents about their past experiences and how those experiences shaped them. One relationship in particular left a lasting effect. Joy explained that she and a late resident, Mary, formed a special bond. Visiting every week, the two shared meaningful and genuine conversation. Joy would look forward to her conversations with Mary each week, to the point that Mary started feeling like family. Through their connection, Joy gained a deeper appreciation for the stories shared with her from not only Mary, but each resident she interacted with.
As an aspiring physician assistant, Joy hopes to work with patients of all ages, however, her time at McGregor opened her eyes to how fulfilling it can be to work with older adults. Developing relationships and hearing the wisdom each person had to give gave her a great appreciation for older generations. The connections she could make meant a great deal to Joy and were one of the reasons she kept coming back.
“There was one event where we painted the residents’ nails and created a little spa day. That was very special,” explained Joy.
The support she received from the McGregor staff also played a significant role in her volunteering experience. Joy credits multiple staff members she had the opportunity of working with for their endless support and encouragement.
One of those staff members being Anna Popernack, an activities coordinator here at McGregor. Anna was a welcoming presence from the beginning, helping plan events, being a guide, or even just having good conversation, Anna was always there.
“Anna was a great point person,” Joy said. “She was always extremely welcoming and made McGregor a great experience.”
Joy also spoke very highly of Jacqueline Southern, the Director of Life Enrichment and Volunteer Coordinator, and Jade Armstrong, an activities coordinator. Both made lasting impressions and taught Joy lessons that she will take with her the rest of her life.
“Jade would light up a room. She was always there to guide me and had great energy,” Joy said. “Jackie was always there to encourage me; not only in volunteering but with my studies too. Everyone I worked with was awesome.”
The kindness Joy received from the staff and residents reinforced the feeling of belonging and value of being at McGregor. Their support allowed Joy to step into new experiences with confidence. As Joy prepares for the next chapter of her life, the wisdom, memories, and lessons will stay with her. Her story is a reminder that volunteering is so much more than a few hours. It is about creating connections and memories throughout the experience. Joy embraced the community around her and built a connection to the city of Cleveland.
For Joy, what was once a simple volunteer day, became an experience that shaped her life. We are grateful for the time, compassion, and dedication Joy shared with the McGregor community and wish her the very best in her next chapter.
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