Old-time
companionship

>> Visiting seniors reveals how awesome
they are, says Elderly Project coordinator

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Jesika Starnino

Age: 30

Occupation: Elderly Project coordinator

Bio: This munificent St-Henri mama first got a taste of how “awesome” senior citizens can be while volunteering at a food bank staffed entirely by old timers in her native L’Orignal, Ontario. A one-time art history major at Concordia, Jesika returned to Montreal for a second time in 2005 “really looking to get involved in the community and help people out,” soon discovering the Yellow Door coffee house and said organization’s Elderly Project. Having done such a bang-up job as a volunteer, within six months she was offered a paying gig as coordinator of the program, which she promptly accepted, turning her back on all the countless lucrative employment opportunities available to those in the art history field. Yet surprisingly, it wasn’t the big bucks of social work that drove her to the industry—“there’s a really high turnover of coordinators here because the salary’s so low”—but her appreciation of the wisdom and grace people can acquire after living on this planet for longer than they perhaps ever wanted to. “I just love seniors, they’ve so many great stories to tell.” She also sings with the Concerto Della Donna choir.

What’s an Elderly “Project”? It sounds vaguely Third Reich-ian: “We offer friendship and friendly favours to our elderly, people over age 55 who need help going to appointments or, say, just want somebody to come visit.”

When I turn 55, will they send some cute chick over to come wash my balls for me? “No, we don’t do any nursing or homemaking duties. And we usually match people by gender.”

What’s expected from volunteers: “It’s only one to four hours a week, helping them do groceries, maybe running an errand for them, taking them to the doctor, or simply just going over to visit. Things that won’t take much time out of your day but have such a huge impact on somebody’s life.” To sign up, go to www.yellowdoor.org.

Something her clients share with alt weekly journalists: “They all live under the poverty line—although we don’t do financial exams of anyone we service because, you know, money can’t buy you love. Even if you’re the richest person in the world with all the care you need, you can still find yourself sitting alone in your room all day. And all our clients live alone.”

Have they ever had issues with unsavoury volunteers into elderly meat or who seem to be particularly interested in their seniors’ banking information? “Most of our volunteers are McGill students, and while we’ve had some moments with some volunteers, never anything like that. And of course everyone has to go through a police check.”

Do the visits tend to be uplifting, or do they as often as not wind up breaking her heart? “It’s both things. Because you see how much you’re affecting their lives—just how much they look forward to seeing you—but sometimes it can be pretty tough. Like having to say goodbye when they don’t want you to leave and knowing they might be entirely alone until the next time you come over.”

Last book read: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by JK Rowling.

Musical preferences: Björk, Me Mom & Morgentaler, Danny Michel.

Word of wisdom: “Love.”

Comments: dimwit@hdot.net