“I have been working here for 12 years. Prior to working here, I was a teacher of the deaf for 19 years. I took a sign language class and I loved it. I then went and received a certification for teaching individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired. I learned about working at the Y from my daughter, who previously worked here in Child Care. She was leaving the Y at the time, and there was an open spot to fill. The Y is a nice place to work and it’s close to my home, which is important to me. They are also very accommodating of my schedule and I enjoy working with the kids. Currently, I teach enrichment classes and am in the Tigers 3-year-old classroom. Everyone here is also so friendly.
Outside of the Y, I am a volunteer with the Miller-Cory House Museum in Westfield. I started over 20 years ago. I was visiting with my kids when they were young and they had a volunteer sheet out. One of my daughters picked it up and signed us up – and we’ve been there ever since. I am a docent there; we take people on tours, – it’s an 18th century house – we wear colonial outfits and we explain to visitors what it was like to live during this time period. I love history and it’s important to keep it alive. There’s something we can learn from what it was like to live during that time.
I also volunteer at my church, where I run the prayer shawl ministry. We knit shawls and when we’re done, we say a blessing and then give them to people who are ill, who have lost someone or who are moving away. People say they find comfort in the shawls.”