e p o H CONNECTION CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAWAI’I NEWSLETTER • SUMMER 2023
TREASURED MOMENTS WITH THE PHONE-A-FRIEND PROJECT “One moment, one time, one conversation, won’t come back again…so make the most of it!” - CCH volunteer Joyce shares her translation of the Japanese adage “ichi-go ichi-e” that she has embraced in life and also applies to her friendship with her Phone-a-Friend companion Ruby. Older adults have increased risk for loneliness and social isolation. Many face living alone, have lost of their family or friends, and/or have chronic illness. This is why CCH’s Phone-a-Friend is a great project that brings hope and happiness to many kupuna in our community. Ruby is an 85-year-old woman who was born and raised on Oahu, she is a Women’s Army Corps (WAC) veteran, was never married, and has no family. Friends from school and work are long gone. She has numerous health problems, lost her vision, and has a history of falls. Yet she remains wercely independent. Ruby contacted Catholic Charities Hawaii’s Senior Services in October 2021 to learn more about our Phone-A-Friend service. She explained that she wanted someone to call her as often as possible to make sure she was alive because she is donating her body to the University of Hawai‘i (UH) John A. Burns School of Medicine Willed Body Program. In order for UH to accept her body, they would have to be notiwed within Ç2 hours after her death. She didn’t need someone to talk with, she just wanted someone to make sure she was okay. We found a Phone-A-Friend volunteer to call Ruby when she was available to receive calls. Joyce has called Ruby three times a week since December 2021. Over time, the conversations between Ruby and Joyce grew more personal, and they learned a lot about each other. They began a friendship.
The quick calls to “check in” with Ruby now last 30-45 minutes. “My friend is a historian,” says Joyce. “I love her stories. She knows much about American history. I also love that we laugh a lot – that came with trust and a mutual respect for each other.” Ruby feels the same way. “We covered a lot of different subjects. We have a lot to talk about. I’m having fun with Joyce.” Catholic Charities Hawaii’s Phone-a-Friend project has helped kupuna rediscover the joy of shared human connection and has brought light back into their lives. Through this project, we are reminded that no matter how old we are, we can always wnd friends and connect with people who care. About the Phone-A-Friend Project: The goal of the Phone-A-Friend Project is to help prevent isolation, decrease loneliness, and provide a safety check for isolated, homebound seniors. The project provides regularly-scheduled calls for seniors who live alone or are socially isolated and have little or no contact with people outside their home. Calls are made by trained Phone-A-Friend volunteers. If you or someone you know could benewt from Phone-A-Friend, or if you would like to become a Phone-A-Friend volunteer, call (808) 52Ç-4ÇÇÇ for more information.