Its only been since June 7th that my mother passed, but I have no friends (3 died). Went to 2 senior centers, tried to have conversations, & volunteer for stuff. At the first place, people barely responded & did not smile. Second place had very nice people but the person in charge of volunteers said she didn't need me: (later I was told she didn't like my ideas & just didn't want me to come back). I feel terrible that these places have been so heartless. What do you think? I feel like I did something wrong, but was nice to everyone I met. Not sure what to make of it...thanks.
Give yourself more time to think about what you really like to do. Just because you are a Senior doesn’t mean you need to stick with just Seniors when seeking volunteer opportunities. My aunt always said the women at her center only cared about “hooking up” with the few men who were there and were pretty witchy to the other women. The woman who said she didn’t like your ideas, well...maybe next time wait until you’ve been there for a good while before sharing your ideas, as good as they may be.
Give thought to what you really like to do. Love animals? Volunteer at a shelter or with a rescue. Foster homeless animals if you’d care to. Love kids? Find a school program in your area who looks for Seniors to come read to the children. Want to make a difference but still be with a group? Our area has a group of Seniors who run a thrift shop for low income people. It includes a cafeteria that serves meals to them.
There are other things to do besides Senior Centers. Good luck. Hope you find something you love to do.
That said, since you found the people at the second senior center to be very nice, why not go back there? You don't have to volunteer -- you could just attend activities and play cards or whatever.
I don't know what you mean when you say the volunteer coordinator "didn't like my ideas". Were you suggesting improvements? (Forgive me if my guess is incorrect.) If so, she may not feel she knows you well enough, or that you know the jobs well enough to suggest something before you begin volunteering. Or she (he) may just be very threatened about an outsider suggesting something new. Regardless, you could go back and just offer to volunteer wherever you are needed.
If the volunteer coordinator doesn't want you now, just go to the activities and skip volunteering. The important thing is to keep going back and give it some time (two or three months? more?) before you evaluate how things are going.
Being the new kid on the block usually means you have to be the easygoing one (I don't mean you have to bend to peer pressure or anything that conflicts with your values). Just sort of "fit in" with the established group and be friendly, but don't expect people to warm up too quickly. Go and have fun, chat with a few people and leave it at that for a bit. You don't want to seem needy (even if you FEEL needy right now).
After a while, you may find someone who is fun and seems to be a potential friend. Consider asking him/her to meet up at the center one time for a particular lecture, or games, or whatever. Try not to feel rejected if that person isn't receptive. Wait a bit until you find someone else who is friendly and try again. Keep at it.
Give it (and yourself, as you are so recently bereaved) time.
I do volunteering at the regional hospital, at the front information desk. When giving directions, if the person looks like a deer in headlights, I will walk them to their destination, and they couldn't thank me enough.
My desk mate is a lovely woman from India who had moved to the States decades ago. She was dealing with elderly in-laws visiting [a visit was over a year long] from the old country, so she and I were comparing notes... it was like free therapy for the both of us. Interesting, dealing with elders is the same everywhere in the world.
If hospitals isn't your thing, and that can be understandable.... maybe do something that is your passion which isn't related to assisting living or hospitals, etc. Here are other ideas:
Local fire/rescue houses. You don't need to know how to use a pick ax, there could be an opening for admin work.
Local library. I remember back 40 years ago, I use to shelve books.
National parks. Great if you love the outdoors, also they may need admin work.
Food panties. Help shelve the incoming items, help bag items, help in soup kitchen if you enjoying cooking.
Habitat for Humanity.
The American Red Cross.
Speak a second language? So many places need interpreters.
Love local history? See if any of the museums need volunteers.
Non-profit thrift shops always need volunteers.
Right now I'm supervising alternate weekend parental visitation for a divorcing couple with young children. One spouse has a drug problem but is a lovely person when sober. I pick up the kids from their home with the custodial parent and meet the non-custodial parent at some agreed upon venue (like a park), make sure the parent appears sober, watch the kids play for a couple of hours, then usually transport them to Dairy Queen for a snack with their parent before taking them home. This afternoon the kids went wading in a stream running through a local park and fed some bread to the ducks there.
A group of my high school friends reconnected on FB and meet every couple of months for a dinner. Interesting enough, we all have or are caring for aging parents.
There are also some book clubs on FB where everyone reads the same book and discusses it online. I'm a reader and a techie so something I can do from my home (where care giving or my asthma often pins me these days) is useful for me.
I did not a soul in the group, which meant nobody knew about the ugly divorce I was going through. I had not made a quilt in 25 years, but wanted to start again. It was quite wonderful to be me, not a mum, exwife, etc. It was a good option for me because it had no links to my past life.
Tiger, we have discussed being raised by abusive parents, even once they have died the abuse remains. Please continue your therapy during the grieving process.
I'm not the type to volunteer at a senior center. Often seems too clicky to me, but they work well for others and they sometimes sponsor day trips by bus.
You will find something...lots of opportunities.
Some volunteer work can count as employment on a resume. There are some programs available that pay you as a Senior citizen or someone re-entering the work force. I am an 85 year old woman and they still need people like me.
Don't give up and please do give yourself some time to grieve. You not only lost your parent, you lost your job. No wonder you feel adrift. ((hugs))
All I can tell you is keep trying because you will find something; Somebody will see your good qualities and want you on their team!
The ones that didn't want you it is their loss. Keep your chin up. You'll find something.
There is some great ideas here for you!
Hugs!!
If you enjoy working with children, another way to help is The Boys/Girls Club, a scouting group, or even a preschool as a substitute teacher.
I used to work at an indoor pool and we had a Silver Sneakers program for both water and land exercise classes. The classes were paid for through insurance and it became a social group for those who attended regularly.
Also, maybe look at groupon.com to try out a potential new hobby. I am going to take my family for a glass blowing class to make Christmas ornaments - there's a great deal on groupon in my area.
Also, please be patient with yourself as you navigate this new chapter in your life. When my dad died, a friend gave me the advice to be as kind to myself as I would be to a good friend.
Give yourself a bit of a "vacation" even if it is a weekend away. Be a "tourist" in your own area if you can't get away.
Next..What is it you really LOVE doing?
I volunteer at the Hospice that helped me care for my Husband. I could not have done what I did without their help. (Medicare requires that 5% of the patient cost be filled by volunteers so Hospice needs people to volunteer with patients either in their homes or in facilities but there is office work that also needs to be done)
I also volunteer at a Veterans Transitional Living facility office. I volunteer when the food bank is open. Again I could not have done what I did without the help of the VA so this is my way to give back to a Veterans Organization.
I have met some great people volunteering.
I also attend Support Groups and have gained friendships from the groups. Do I "need" the groups now? probably not but I continue to go because these are now my circle of friends and I CAN help new members of the group that join because I know where they are and what will come. So I still can contribute ..just like I hope I do here.
Do you like animals? Lots of shelters need volunteers
Kids? Boys and Girls Clubs. Schools need volunteers to help teachers, schools and community colleges need volunteers for tutors and helping students that do not understand English (ESL help) and even more gut wrenching..CASA Court Appointed Special Advocate (Guardians ad Litem for children)
Any group that you volunteer with that does not want you, does not treat you well, does not deserve your help as there are hundreds of other places that will welcome you with open arms and hearts.
My SIL volunteers at a local hospital as an Angel. She helps in the ER when patients come in alone, sits with them and comforts them, get warm blankets etc. Of course no hands on stuff, but she’s such a kind soul that this is a perfect fit for her and she loves it.
My friend who lost her DH a few years ago, has joined a group called Oasis. They have local chapters but I think it’s national. They have an online catalog of educational classes, and field trips. She’s always off somewhere with them on a bus trip, just returned from gardens in NJ and Pa. Mostly singles, some couples, but always interesting. It’s a very safe way to travel and get your “feet wet” in an easy social setting. You may like to check that out.
Good luck as we try to find ourselves again.
I am a strong advocate of volunteering. I volunteer with three different organizations throughout the year as well as at various weekend events. I also go to university full time and work 10 hours a week. During Tax season I am volunteering up 15-20 hours a week. Tax season and final exams fall into the same month.
Part of the abuse I suffered as a child was to be told I was unworthy of affection, caring or love unless I was doing something for others, or doing house work. Yup, the crazy amount of volunteering I do, is directly linked to the abuse I suffered as a child. The abuse continued into my marriage with me working 6 days a week, while my ex, 'worked' from home, for 4.5 of the last 6 years of our marriage.
It has been a challenge to allow myself the freedom to do what I want, when I want, how long I want etc. I am in my 50's learning who I am. Joining the quilting group was the beginning of the discovery.
So Tiger, please when looking at how to spend your time, give some thought to what you would like to do, not how you can serve others. You have had a lifetime of doing the bidding of others.
You can go to the seniors centre and not volunteer, just enjoy the activities. You can pick up a hobby, take a class, learn a new skill.
Going back to university was the best thing I ever could have done. I have met people from all over the world, I have made some incredible friendships with people younger than me.
The quilting group has allowed me to explore my creative side, and this spring I went on a trip from BC to Missouri to meet some quilting stars. It was an incredible 9000km road trip and I had a wonderful time.
I am still learning about what I enjoy, what I want to incorporate into my life moving forward.
Tiger, this is your time to shine, not serve.
I am an introvert.,I don't really do groups or lots of stuff. And yes, I know downside of it.
Op, maybe give yourself some time to grieve. Just a suggestion.
I had a similar experience as you once-
It was After my father died in 2005
I lost my identity completely-
I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror anymore-
I forced myself to take a free seniors computer class- but everyday it was just emotional pain in the background of everything I did-
By chance there was a group of ladies in that same class--that were part of a grievance group that met once a week- -id sit around at lunch and listen to them while they talked about their loss-
One lady lost her boyfriend to illness-
One lady lost her son to suicide-etc.
One day I just exploded in tears at one nice lady-i asked her if the pain i was carrying around was ever going to go away-she reassured me that it definately does-it just takes awhile-
...That class was the beginning steps to rebuilding/building an identity,a life,a daily schedule....for 'me' to follow and heal behind-
I think you are being 'protected/led' right now-and these places you've been just aren't the right ones-
Don't be hard on yourself you are still grieving and adjusting-
You will slowly but surely rebuild an identity- and life you enjoy-and the right friends will come along with it-automatically-
What's up with you tonight?