VHS senior Patrick McCann and VHS/HBW speech-language pathologist Kathleen Wrobel volunteer a few times a month at the Alaris Nursing Home in Cedar Grove, NJ and have been doing so for two years now.

They began this project so that Patrick could complete his junior community service hours, volunteering within the recreation department at Alaris by providing company and conversation for Alaris residents.

Patrick feels that he has improved his own conversational skills while making an effort to be a companion to the seniors and other residents living at Alaris. He has enjoyed the experience of talking to many different residents but he particularly has enjoyed his periodic chats with a man named Sebastian. Patrick and Ms. Wrobel are pictured here with recreation director Olga Schneiderman and Hiram Gonzalez on Volunteers Day at the Nursing Home, a day when the nursing home organizes a volunteer appreciation lunch. Patrick will be graduating in June but he plans to return to the nursing home to continue volunteering next year.