Creating
Miracles Every Day
“Every human being has a great yet often unknown gift to care, to be compassionate, to become present to the other, to listen, to hear and to receive. If that gift would be set free and made available, miracles could take place.”
–Henri M. Nouwen
This quotation serves as inspiration for the varied programs and services available through Encore Community Services. Encore strives to “create miracles” in all sizes, shapes and variety for the seniors who participate in programs and services, and also for the homebound. We invite you to help Encore continue to create miracles! Perhaps the seniors themselves can best sum up some of these miracles, in their own words:
“I regained my dignity at Encore 49…before Encore, home was a cardboard box.”
“It’s important for home bound seniors to know someone is there for them…if I get ‘down’ I call my friendly visitor; she always cheers me up.”
“I love all the activities at the Center. I’ve made some good friends here. If I didn’t come here I’d never get any exercise, or such good food.”
“I can forget my aches and pains when I get to the Center. I feel like the staff cares about me.”
“When I miss a lunch one day someone always asks the next day ‘you OK?’ That makes me very happy.”
“I know what it’s like to be homeless. I was out there living on the streets. After 7 years, I was tired of being cold, wet, hungry…it finally got to me.…I think Encore saved my life.”
“Being old, alone and in poor health, I don’t get out so much. I appreciate my meal every day. I don’t know how I would survive without it.”
“Without my escort, I would never be able to go to the doctor.”
“When I moved to Encore West with my best friend ‘Fluffy’, I was overjoyed. I came from an SRO and some people were abusive to me and Fluffy. They had no heart. I will never leave Encore West!”
“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
–Albert Einstein
Tags: aging, elder, elderly, low income, mental illness, non profit, seniors