How JABA Affects Lives
“I loved teaching,” says Sadie McLaughlin about her 34-year career as a home economics teacher and guidance counselor. Her personal time was all about learning, as well. She taught herself macramé, sewing, knitting, crocheting and basketry. “My baskets won prizes.” Today, Sadie is combining her love of teaching with her crafts, passing on her skills at JABA’s Community Center in Louisa. “I volunteer a lot because I want to give something back to the community.”
How JABA Affects Lives
It took 18 months of physical therapy, but Shirley is back with the people who depend on her at JABA’s Louisa Community Center. Before her stroke, the retired math teacher coordinated the Center’s home delivered meals and nutrition programs. Now Assistant Activities Coordinator, Shirley lights up the Center with her sing-a-longs and crafts, as well as her spirit. “People come to JABA for a lot of different reasons. We try to keep them safe, happy and entertained.”
How JABA Affects Lives
Robbin Keefer has diabetes and has chronic back pain, but she glows when she talks about JABA’s Adult Care Center. “At first, I didn’t want to come, but this is the nicest place. I’m having so much fun. I learned how to play dominoes and how to make cards. My back doesn’t hurt here. It hurts at home. But not here. I feel like I’ve hit the lottery.”
How JABA Affects Lives
Moving from D.C. to Louisa County brought Ceile Kirch closer to her nephew and in touch with nature, but … “It’s very quiet. Serenity is beautiful, but it can be too peaceful. The JABA Community Center keeps me on the go. We’re like a family. We all try to help each other out, because the ‘golden’ years are not always so golden – we need maintenance. I love JABA.”
How JABA Affects Lives
On her 60th birthday, Dottie Pelletier got her first tattoo. For her, getting older doesn’t mean shutting down. “I learn something every time I come to JABA’s Community Center. We have a nurse who presents very clear information. I feel that I can ask our center manager anything. If she doesn’t know, she’ll find out the answer. And we have speakers on health and finance. They really listen and work to answer our questions.”
How JABA Affects Lives
“I do for myself,” says retired construction worker Lewis Shelton. For the Fluvanna native that includes riding a JAUNT bus three days a week from his nursing home to JABA’s Adult Care Center in Louisa. “I enjoy the bingo and the singing. And the food is good.” It’s the littlest volunteers, however, who put a real smile on his face. “The kids from day care next door come in and perform for us.”
How JABA Affects Lives
Betty J. Smith spent so much time volunteering at her children’s school, “the secretary had my number in big print on the wall.” Then it was helping at a local food pantry and hosting scrapbook parties. When her husband died, however, money problems set in. Her world seemed dark. “I just about went under. If it hadn’t been for JABA … the singing… the companionship… the people make our Community Center special.”
How JABA Affects Lives
Erlener Mason discovered JABA when she was caretaker for her husband. “He would play games at JABA’s Community Center. And I could take my walks.” Later a JABA case manager helped when Erlener’s mother became sick, and arranged home delivered meals for her invalid brother. Now Erlener visits the Center simply because she wants to. “You don’t realize how much fun you’ll have until you come … Food doesn’t taste as good when you’re alone.”
How JABA Affects Lives
Five days a week for the past six years, Rosemary Funn has come to JABA’s Adult Care Center. When a recent operation kept her away for two months, she reports, “I couldn’t wait to get back! I love the people.” Rosemary also likes the variety of activities she and her friends can take part in at the Center. “Yesterday we made crafts. Today, we’re playing bingo.”
How JABA Affects Lives
Adult children often bring a parent to a JABA Community Center. Fannie Holmes comes with her mother. Retired seamstresses, the mother and daughter share a love of the good company and good food they find at JABA. Both are also regulars at their church. And, while the elder Fannie is a little hard of hearing, she can still read the fine print in her Bible. Not bad for having reached 100!
