People of Perley - Gabrielle Muhuni

Gabrielle Muhuni had no experience with Seniors and Veterans until the summer of 2023, when she volunteered at Perley Health. She knew a little bit about the military, from high school classes. But, even though her mother, Grace, works at Perley Health, the teen had had few up-close interactions with older people.

Like so many young volunteers before her, Gabrielle learned so much while engaged with residents at Perley Health. More than 138 volunteer hours passed by in a flash, as Gabrielle took part in activities with residents, such as mealtime assistance and helping residents to participate in church services, exercise classes, and Bingo.

Perley Health's 400 or so volunteers range in age from 13 to 95. They include people of all abilities. Youth volunteers explore a number of learning opportunities, with ongoing support from Volunteer Services. Perley Health offers High School Co-op placements and a Summer Youth Program.

In the Co-op program, students assist seniors living in long-term care. Staff train the placement students in such support areas as Physiotherapy, Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts, Music Therapy, Nursing, and dementia-related programming for seniors with complex care needs. It is not unusual for Perley Health staff to have started out as youth volunteers, choosing a health-care career after helping Seniors and Veterans in the home-like setting.

Under the Summer Youth Program, each July and August, Perley Health engages volunteers aged 13 to 18, to support residents of its Seniors' Village. Over the winter of her volunteering, Gabrielle focused on her studies, but squeezed-in Perley Health's March Break activities, and took part in Take Your Kids to Work Day.

Spending time with Seniors and Veterans was fulfilling for both the residents and Gabrielle. She made a lot of new friends during her Youth Volunteer summer, including residents who shared what their years had taught them. Their best advice to Gabrielle: “Just enjoy your youth. Take advantage of it.”

After she went with him to Bingo, one Perley Health resident, an Air Force Veteran, showed Gabrielle some mementos from her service. They included photos with colleagues, and medals the ground-breaker had earned. Residents are encouraged to display such honours in a nook just outside their rooms. It is a certain conversation-starter for visitors and volunteers. The collection intrigued Gabrielle, who listened as the resident brought history to life with her memories.

“Pretty cool!” Gabrielle sums-up.

Gabrielle earned Perley Health's 2023 Summer Youth Program Award, to recognize her exceptionally kind, compassionate and respectful resident-focused care.

 

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"During the first day when they have orientation, try to make friends with the other volunteers. I did and I ended up making friends with this girl. It was pretty nice.” - Gabrielle Muhuni, Volunteer