Stefan has been volunteering with The Center for Volunteer Caregiving since July 2025 and brings consistency and compassion to his role. A job change created more free time in his schedule, and he saw volunteering as an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way. Having had grandparents and neighbors who lived alone, he witnessed firsthand how easily older adults can become isolated or overlooked, particularly after losing parts of their support systems. Volunteering with The Center offered a way to directly address that need.
Stefan was matched with a care receiver through our Friendly Visiting program, and the two hit it off immediately. They spend time together each week, often sharing a meal and watching a movie. Recently, they have been enjoying comedies and films from the 1980s. When we spoke with Stefan’s care receiver, he shared, “When you enjoy comedies, you want to share them with your friends. We need humor now more than ever. Watching funny movies and laughing with Stefan is a highlight in my week.”
What stands out most to Stefan is the friendship itself. He values the opportunity to learn from his care receiver’s life experiences and enjoys listening as he reflects on earlier chapters of his life. At the same time, Stefan is honest about the realities of volunteering. He was initially surprised by the level of energy it requires, particularly when navigating conversations that can sometimes be heavy. He considers it a privilege to be trusted with those stories while also recognizing the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries.
When asked what he has gained from volunteering, Stefan shared that the perspective has been inspiring. He admires his care receiver’s outlook on life. Despite living with ongoing pain from past injuries, his care receiver remains positive, light-hearted, and free from self-pity. For those considering volunteering, Stefan offered simple but heartfelt advice: take the time to listen. He emphasized that many care receivers have meaningful stories and experiences to share, and creating space for those conversations is incredibly valuable. He also encourages new volunteers to establish a routine, noting that his weekly Tuesday visits after work have made it easy to stay consistent and fully present.
When he is not volunteering, Stefan works as a tech engineer and leads a creative, active lifestyle. He plays both bass and guitar and has recently taken up watercolor painting. He also enjoys biking to work, hiking, and spending time at home with his wife, where they often watch movies and play games on their Nintendo Switch.
