Photo: Juanita Copeland and her pet pig, Petey.
Volunteer Spotlight: Juanita Copeland
Published on October 13, 2021
Juanita has been a volunteer since 2014. She assists homecare patients and their caregivers by providing respite and sits with patients who are alone through the Volunteer Companion Program. She also helps out with special requests and recently helped a family get repairs for their car. Once she even washed a patient’s dogs after they were sprayed by a skunk! She loves animals, as you can see from this picture of her with her pet pig, Petey!
What brought you to Alive?
The year before my mother passed away, I cared for a dear friend who was an Alive Hospice patient at home. I was so impressed with everyone I encountered. I chose Alive for my mom’s care, but had to use another hospice provider at her nursing home. Because of the negative experience I had with that hospice provider, I vowed that I would try to help people that were in the same situation with a loved one dying. I used Alive’s grief counseling services several times and learned more about the option to volunteer.
Why do you volunteer with Alive?
I volunteer because what Alive does is truly sacred work. To be present and help a patient transition or be there for their family, as a volunteer, is part of that sacred work. It is a privilege to help the patient and their family during this time. I treasure each patient and family that I have had the honor to work with. One of the most important things I can help do is bring peace to a patient and family. I believe in doing everything humanly possible to help where I can, when I can. It is such an important part of who I am and what I believe. It is such an honor to be part of this amazing organization.