Zoey Peresman has volunteered with DOROT since 2015. In that time, she's volunteered in many ways, but primarily as a Package Delivery volunteer.
We've asked Zoey a few questions about her time as a volunteer with DOROT. Read her responses below:
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a native New Yorker who enjoys connecting with others and hearing their stories. I am currently a social worker at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, where I assist teens and young adults with getting access to gender-affirming medical care. My main passions are film, reading, and music, all of which were encouraged by my favorite person -- my fabulous grandmother, Irene Hochstein. As a child, she always took me to movies, plays, and concerts.
How did you first get involved with DOROT? Why did you choose to volunteer with DOROT?
I cannot remember how I heard about DOROT, but I have been interested in connecting with older adults since childhood. My grandmother (pictured above with Zoey) has been a third parent to me and is the most important person in my life. Spending time with her has always been my greatest joy. As a result, I value what older adults and those often neglected by society have to offer, and have volunteered with organizations that deliver meals and provide company to them since I was a child.
Furthermore, I have been impacted by loneliness as someone who experienced bullying at a young age and mostly found solace in books and movies, which makes my heart go out to others experiencing loneliness and isolation. Volunteering with DOROT is a way I can play a role in supporting them and give the care to others that I hope to receive when I am older.
Why did you choose to be a Package Delivery volunteer?
I would love to do more, however being a Package Delivery volunteer works best with my schedule and capacity. I usually participate in holiday deliveries.
What is one of your favorite moments from your experience as a DOROT volunteer?
Over the years, I have enjoyed meeting new people and hearing about their experiences, especially from other native New Yorkers about what New York was like when they were young and the ways it has changed.
What have you learned from volunteering with the DOROT community?
That even taking a small action can make a difference in brightening someone's day.
What would you say to someone interested in volunteering?
I would encourage others to think about putting the energy into the world that they want to receive. Connection is the key to survival. DOROT and similar organizations facilitate this essential connection.
Thank you, Zoey!
Interested in becoming a Package Delivery volunteer like Zoey? Register for Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery.