[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Volunteers at HopeWest play a special role in supporting individuals and families facing the challenges of aging, illness, and grief. Their dedication contributes to the exceptional care provided across western Colorado and strengthens HopeWest\u2019s ability to serve with compassion and excellence.<\/p>\n
In 2025 alone, 1,085 active volunteers contributed an extraordinary 80,417 hours of service collectively across all service areas. This is equivalent to 39 full-time employees and a remarkable $2.8 million in value for time and cost savings.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOur team of volunteers makes HopeWest so extraordinary,\u201d said Jenni Adams, Volunteer Coordinator at HopeWest in Plateau Valley. \u201cThe most valuable gift someone can give is their time, and we are so grateful to the many volunteers who support our programs.\u201d<\/p>\n Volunteer talents enrich every HopeWest program, helping fulfill our promise to deliver care that goes above and beyond basic standards, making each experience meaningful and memorable for those served. As essential members of the HopeWest team, volunteers support patients, clients, families, and teammates in many ways.<\/p>\n Volunteers provide respite for caregivers, offer companionship to children and teens attending summer grief camps, support special events, and even assist families with chores or yardwork. Others share hobbies and skills such as sewing and baking for those in our programs. Some choose to offer their time playing games or crafting with patients. No matter their interests or how they serve, the contributions of our volunteers make a difference every day.<\/p>\n Joannie Livingstone says that HopeWest\u2019s mission is close to her heart. She first became connected with HopeWest nearly two decades ago as the volunteer coordinator for HopeWest in Collbran. After retiring, she spent some time traveling before eventually returning to HopeWest as a volunteer, helping in any way she could. Today, she serves as a volunteer member of the HopeWest Advisory Board, where she has made it her mission to encourage the community to embrace the support HopeWest offers.<\/p>\n \u201cI want people to know that HopeWest is an integral part of the community providing services to all, regardless of their ability to pay,\u201d Joannie said.<\/p>\n Living in a rural area like Plateau Valley makes the work especially meaningful to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWe live in a unique place, with many ranchers and farmers. I think that many members of the community wish to remain at home and want to be supported until they pass away. They don\u2019t want to go to the city, and we can help them do that,\u201d she said. \u201cThe more knowledge we can get out there, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n Joannie understands the important role volunteers play in the care HopeWest provides, helping wrap an extra layer of support around patients and families.<\/p>\n \u201cVolunteers give caregivers a break, whether it\u2019s just to go sit in the other room, go grocery shopping, or simply take a little time for themselves,\u201d she said. \u201cCaregivers need that, and volunteers can be that support.\u201d<\/p>\n She emphasizes that HopeWest provides training for volunteers, so they feel comfortable helping families and caregivers.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery person has a unique quality or talent to offer,\u201d Joannie said.<\/p>\n Joannie has found her own special way to contribute by honoring the lives of patients through recording their life stories. Her interest in the history of the West, particularly the ranching families who homesteaded the region, inspired her to begin documenting these personal histories.<\/p>\n She listens as patients reflect on their lives, capturing their stories and memories. Later, she compiles them and delivers them to families on a thumb drive so children and loved ones can cherish them for years to come.<\/p>\n \u201cI think patients feel joy telling their story,\u201d she said. \u201cKnowing they are coming to the end of their life, they could relive those memories as they shared them.\u201d<\/p>\n For Joannie, volunteering with HopeWest is both an honor and a humbling experience. She is grateful for the trust families place in her when they invite her into such tender moments of their lives.<\/p>\n She shares that all at HopeWest feel privileged to help.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”6px” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#008b95″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||11px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.hopewestco.org\/volunteer\/” button_text=”Learn More About volunteering at hopewest” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#19315a” button_border_width=”7px” button_border_color=”#19315a” button_border_radius=”23px” button_letter_spacing=”3px” button_font=”Oswald||||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#f4a327″ button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#f4a327″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#df6c02″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#008b95″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”–et_global_body_font|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#bcbcbc” header_4_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#df6c02″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Suggested Blog Posts: Testimonials” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” global_module=”241366″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”6px” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#008b95″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||13px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”4″ include_categories=”3843″ excerpt_length=”50″ show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_categories=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font_size=”22px” header_line_height=”1.5em” meta_font=”||||||||” meta_font_size=”14px” meta_line_height=”1.4em” read_more_text_color=”#df6c02″ pagination_font=”–et_global_body_font|700|||||||” pagination_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.42)” pagination_font_size=”17px” pagination_line_height=”1.6em” dbdb_show_tags=”on” border_radii=”on|9px|9px|9px|9px” border_width_all=”0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Volunteers at HopeWest play a special role in supporting individuals and families facing the challenges of aging, illness, and grief. Their dedication contributes to the exceptional care provided across western […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":240099,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3843],"tags":[5667,5671],"class_list":["post-240095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-testimonials","tag-plateau-valley","tag-volunteers"],"yoast_head":"\nYou too can become a HopeWest volunteer and help people in your community.<\/h3>\n
“We live in a unique place, with many ranchers and farmers. I think that many members of the community wish to remain at home and want to be supported until they pass away. They don\u2019t want to go to the city, and we can help them do that. The more knowledge we can get out there, the better.\u201d<\/h3>\n
<\/h4>\n
Joannie Livingstone<\/span>, HopeWest Volunteer<\/h4>\n
Suggested Reading<\/h3>\n