Occupational Therapy Volunteers Lend a Helping Hand at The Hub
Below the streets of City Hall lies our Hub of Hope (the Hub), a welcoming place for people experiencing homelessness to drop in, grab a bite to eat, and take care of their basic needs such as laundry or a warm shower. As our services continue to expand, we have found that our occupational therapy programs have built rapport with the community and provide rehabilitative activities to improve physical and mental illnesses.
This year the Hub welcomed occupational therapy volunteers to introduce new exercises that highlight their talents and spread positivity.
“I have several volunteers that truly enhance our OT programming at Hub of Hope,” shares Tina DeAngelis, clinical OT supervisor at the Hub.
Two of their volunteers have been giving back in unique ways to support the technological and physical needs of those coming in for services. Tina explains, “Most recently, Thai Hai donated three beautiful laptops—for starters—to us to utilize in the living room of The Hub so people can look for employment opportunities, make doctor's appointments, and more.”
Thai owns a business called Tech Cycle, a non-profit focused on providing free tech devices to those who need them most. “Having access to digital information to me is very crucial for today's world,” says Thai.
From an early age, Thai knew the importance of equal access to technology. He recalls his first laptop as a kid being a pivotal experience in his future career in computer science. “I really cried to my parents like ‘I need this laptop!’ Essentially, they got me one. I decided to study computer science, and I fell in love with it because of this particular device.”
At the Hub, Thai has a direct connection and personally hand-delivers each device. “I do everything in my power to get them there and get the laptops to their hands.”
Thai believes the opportunities are endless when you have a means to connect to the digital world, and he says it should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the circumstances. “A few folks just want to get back on their feet and are trying to find jobs. Some of them are going to study at college or AutoCAD. Some are just trying to watch Netflix or YouTube, and that’s fine too. Whatever makes them go.”
Another volunteer, LaVerne Webb, uses movement and physical activities to get people to prioritize their health with physical exercise programs. LaVerne is the director of Thomas Jefferson University’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) program and is the owner of Soul 2 Sole Bounce Fitness, which creates personalized fitness routines to support everyone’s individual fitness goals.
“LaVerne Webb volunteers her time and expertise once a month to join us for active exercise programming. The participants love it and love her energy. They always ask when she is coming back,” says Tina.
Like fellow volunteer Thai, LaVerne has felt drawn to helping others achieve success since she was a young child. She reflects on her experiences saying, “I was raised by my grandmother, who was very much entrenched in the community. I like what happens when we come together with a set goal, and I love being able to give someone a hand. I feel like, that's my purpose here, is to really be able to extend an act of kindness.”
At the Hub, LaVerne runs a 45-minute exercise routine with variations depending on what each person is comfortable performing. “I keep the exercises really simple, really basic, and incorporate some dance moves. If you want to sit, you can, if you want to stand you can.”
Once a month LaVerne is joined by 10 to 20 people in our community room where they try new exercises to get their blood pumping and their bodies moving. “We’re working out, we're dancing, and we're having a good time.”
Each class is different, and participation has held steady. LaVerne says they are trying to expand so more people can engage in the activities. “Now we’re trying to find a bigger space, because when people know that I'm coming it’s packed in there.”
LaVerne remembers a special moment between her and a Hub guest that helps to explain why she volunteers. “It was around the holidays, and a community member made me a card. That just really brought tears to my eyes. For someone to take the time to be thoughtful enough to create something for me that they’ve made with their hands is very touching.”
