Lifestyles

Servants’ hearts needed

Heartland Hospice seeks volunteers

Since January, Jenn Engle of Howland has spent much of her spare time with folks who are facing their final chapter.

As a volunteer for Heartland Hospice, which is based in Boardman, she is paired with clients in the program, offering companionship as part of their end-of-life care. Hospice focuses on comfort and dignity for people who have terminal illnesses and have reached the end of the road in terms of finding a cure.

"I've always had a servant's heart," she said, explaining that many people in hospice are lonely or depressed, and she enjoys providing companionship during a tough time. "It's rewarding."

Clay Vossler, a social worker and volunteer coordinator at Heartland Hospice, said the facility serves 49 hospice patients in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Patients in the program live at home, in assisted living facilities or at nursing homes, he said.

Many people think of hospice patients as actively dying, lying in a hospital bed, unable to communicate or help themselves, Vossler said. In reality, some still live on their own and have made the decision to forego treatment after they've run out of medical options to reverse their condition, he said.

Engle, 65, is retired from banking, finishing her career as vice president of lending and sales training at National City Bank, now PNC Bank, and is treasurer of the Howland Rotary Club.

She visits a client at Windsor House in Champion and takes her dog, Riley, who she fostered, then adopted, 13 years ago after he was found, emaciated, in a rusty metal crate in a backyard.

"My resident just absolutely loves him," Engle said, joking that "I don't even know that she cares to see me anymore."

There are 12 volunteers who spend time with patients, offering companionship and socialization or services such as running errands or tidying up living spaces.

In the past, volunteers have read books, gone for walks or played cards or games with patients. Some have played music, painted nails or helped clients with their hair or makeup, Vossler said.

An ideal candidate is someone who has free time to spare, Vossler said, adding that retired folks who are bored and students who need volunteer credits often sign up.

Meredith Gray, 20, of Boardman, found out about the opportunity through a Youngstown State University volunteer page and decided to sign up, though she doesn't need the volunteer credits for school.

The 2024 Ursuline High School graduate is studying biology and wants to be a physician's assistant. She has visited three different clients since May -- two in Boardman and a woman in Salem who passed away in June.

"It's definitely emotional for sure," she said, but explained that an hour of companionship "makes such a difference" for clients.

Her grandfather died in 2022 after a bout with Lou Gehrig's disease and was at a skilled nursing facility at the time.

"I know what that kind of support meant for my family," she said. "I want to be able to give that to someone else."

Standard visits last at least an hour, but that's up to the discretion of the volunteers and clients, Vossler said, adding that some people volunteer once a week and others, once a month.

Volunteers must be at least 18 to work with clients, Vossler said, but explained candidates can apply at 16 or 17 to help in the office.

Hospice employees prefer volunteers who have a heart to serve the older population, who are compassionate and good at communicating, Vossler said.

Background checks and drug screens are required before a volunteer is welcomed into the program, he added.

He previously worked for Mahoning and Trumbull County Children's Services, but needed a change and said he found out about the hospice job and accepted it in 2025.

At that time, he said, the program had no volunteers.

Many larger hospice programs have separate staff members to do social work and volunteer coordination, Vossler said, but he handles both, as time allows.

He said he's looking for as many volunteers as possible, noting the need is greatest in Columbiana County.

"We have a lot of people in the program there," he said. "There's always the need."

For more information on volunteering, call Vossler at (330) 318-3418 or email him at clayton.vossler@heartlandhospice.com.