Volunteering at JPS Health Network allows individuals to positively impact the lives of each person they come in contact with. Volunteers provide exceptional service and are committed to providing much-needed support to our patients and team members. They do not ask for anything in return but the satisfaction that they've come in and changed a person's life.
Volunteering opens the opportunity to meet new people, gain experience, and brighten someone's day, whether they're giving patients hand-woven blankets, sitting and talking with a patient who feels alone, or helping team members.
"I chose to volunteer at JPS because of the opportunities it gives you. There are such a wide range of places where you can volunteer, and to help out allows you to impact others and bring everyone together," said JPS Volunteer Mohisha Shrestha. "It's so amazing to be a part of. The community is so welcoming and positive that it brings out the best of you because of the connections you make and the feeling of belongingness it provides."
Shrestha has been volunteering at JPS since the summer of 2022. Her goal is to pursue a career in the medical field, so while she attends the University of North Texas, she decided to combine her love for helping people with her interest in gaining experience. Shrestha enjoys volunteering in the Emergency Department (ED) and patient carting, where she takes a cart filled with books, blankets, and hygiene products to patients' rooms.
"I enjoy patient carting because you learn so much from the patients," Shrestha said. "They enjoy sharing their experiences or hidden talents. I've had artists that draw me cool things, so every day is an opportunity to learn. I remember a time when there was a patient I would see almost every day while carting, and she would always tell me to 'be yourself or if you're doing something, make sure you're doing it for yourself.' Carting gives you a sense of how much of an impact you're making. There have been times when I just talked to patients and saw my influence on their life. I get a lot of 'You made my day,' which makes me feel amazing. It's the best feeling in the world."
It makes me so happy and joyful when I volunteer. I always have a lot of fun, and getting this experience is great. I've spoken with different patients, and making their day is an honor.
For Shrestha, volunteering has taught her many life lessons. She is not only grateful for the impact she gets to make on others but the impact the patients and staff have made on her.
"I think volunteering is a blessing in disguise like any other job or volunteer position," Shrestha said. “You don't know what you're getting into until you get there, but starting as a volunteer with my volunteer coordinator, Katie, was amazing. She is incredibly friendly, and the staff and environment are great. I honestly think it influenced me to be more open and strive to be the best version of myself."
For many volunteers, their goal is to lend a helping hand and make a difference. Lilly Crowns, JPS Volunteer, enjoys volunteering in the ED and Oncology departments. Whether it’s making pillows, passing out blankets, talking with patients, helping stack medical supplies, feeding oncology patients, or answering phone calls, she enjoys her time and is grateful for the experience.
JPS Health Newtwork Volunteers, Mohisha Shrestha (Left), and Lilly Crowns (Right)
"It makes me so happy and joyful when I volunteer," Crowns said. "I always have a lot of fun, and getting this experience is great. I've spoken with different patients, and making their day is an honor. Today, I was sitting with a bedridden oncology patient, who said he was bored. I just talked to him for a while, and we had fun. It felt good to make him a little less bored."
Crowns, who aspires to go to Medical School, said that volunteering had allowed her to give back and learn a few skills she will take into her career in medicine.
"Being a volunteer and visiting everywhere, I have a lot of respect for the medical staff because they do a lot," Crowns said. "I am going to Medical School and learning that will help me respect the people I work with in the future. It has also taught me to be aware of how I will speak to my patients because they are human too. I am so happy that I was given a chance to volunteer. It makes me so happy to see them every Friday. I love them!"
Volunteering significantly impacts the patients and staff. You never know whose life you're touching. Donaciano "Chano" Sandoval made an impact during his time as a volunteer, resulting in him receiving a job offer in the laundry department where he volunteered frequently.
"I volunteered daily in the laundry department because I wanted to help others and get work experience," Sandoval said. "One day, the manager said, 'You're here every day, you always help, and we like having you. Would you want a job?' I said 'Yes!' It made me so happy. When I got home, I told my family, who were so proud of me. It made my day. It makes me so happy to help the workers and deliver everything to the patients."
Volunteers lend their time and give back to the people in their community. They get gratification out of impacting the people they serve. To become a JPS volunteer, visit the JPS Volunteer Services page or request an application at volunteers@jpshealth.org or 817-702-1590.
