Nazareth Home maintains a strong connection and presence in the community and the elders at Nazareth Home are always thinking of what else they can do to stay involved and be a friend to others. 

The newly formed Helping Hands Club at our Clifton Campus realized there are many nonprofits in the area that could use their help. That’s why they decided to devote their time and energy to reach out to local nonprofit organizations in need of assistance and support. The group of eight is already hard at work looking for nonprofits in need. It’s a valuable way for elders at Nazareth Home to get involved in the community, and the connectivity they achieve through these efforts is truly a win-win for everyone involved.

The nonprofit groups gain supporters, and through deeper social and community connections, the elders become more active and engaged in the world around them, teeming with purpose and fulfillment. This contributes in a positive way to their overall wellbeing. “The elders are really happy to give back to the community and just want to make people smile,” said Lisa Stacy, Activities Director at Nazareth Home’s Clifton Campus.

Upon getting started, the group asked itself a simple question: What can we do to help other people and organizations in the greater Louisville community? The answer, they realized, was actually a great deal. Armed with time and experience, they knew they could offer support in many ways. The team is up and running and looking for new members to join. They recently held a bake sale that raised funds to purchase items from the wish list for Second Chances Wildlife Center, which serves as an animal rehabilitation and education center licensed through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Located in Mt. Washington, their mission is to foster compassion, conservation and environmental stewardship through education and wildlife rehabilitation for injured, displaced or orphaned animals.

“We are always discovering new ways for the elders to connect with the outside community. This initiative is perfect because it also helps others in need,” said Ashley Cochran, executive director of the Clifton Campus. The elders currently participating in the Helping Hands Club have already taken additional steps to increase their impact by asking family members to collect items needed on the wish list, such as paper towels, detergent, trash bags and other items. A collection box is available in the main lobby of the Clifton Campus for anyone who would like to contribute a donation of most-needed items.

The elders also hope to extend their “helping hands” across the community in a multitude of ways, including writing letters to students and other pen pals in the area. They plan to select a different nonprofit every other month to support.