April is National Volunteer Month! Join us in celebrating and getting to know our amazing DOROT volunteers.
Meet Alicia Minshew, DOROT Caring Calls volunteer!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live right here on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with my 15-year-old daughter (who is also a DOROT volunteer!) as well as my husband and our little French bulldog. I am originally from Florida and moved here over 25 years ago. I have been very lucky and blessed to do what l love for over 27 years working as an actor and more recently also as a producer/writer. I just wrote a film loosely based on my grandmother. Maybe one day I will write about my Caring Calls match, Pauline, because she is a character in the very best way! :-)
How did you first get involved with DOROT?
In 2020, during the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, I saw several older adults walking on the streets of my NYC neighborhood alone, and realized how terribly lonely some of them must be during lockdown. That was a strange and lonely time for everyone in the country. I wanted to see if there was some way to connect with older adults who are stuck at home alone and find a way to try and make a difference, maybe bring them some joy and some human connection. I was very close to my grandmother and would want someone to do the same for her. A friend told me about DOROT, and I knew it would be just what I was looking for.
Why did you choose to become a Caring Calls Volunteer specifically?
I chose Caring Calls for a number of reasons. When I started volunteering with DOROT, home visits were not happening as they are now, so calling someone was the next best thing. I am a chatty person and love to engage in conversation, so I figured that Caring Calls would be a safe and fun way to engage with someone. I really love talking with, and learning from, older adults. I had a very close relationship with my grandparents as well as other older family members and I miss them all, so I was really looking forward to having these phone calls. I have an ever-changing schedule so Caring Calls was also a great way to volunteer while still giving me the flexibility I needed for my schedule.
What is one of your favorite moments from your experience as a DOROT volunteer?
One of my favorite moments was when I spoke to my lovely Caring Calls match, Pauline, for the first time. We laughed and laughed and realized we both had so much in common. We also talked endlessly about our curly hair and how tricky it was to tame it at times! Ha! We are fellow curly girls! Like I said, we shared lots of laughs. What do you gain from your experience of volunteering at DOROT? I get pure joy from these weekly conversations! Knowing that I made her smile is the best feeling. Just being there for her if she is having a tough week is very meaningful to me. I learn a lot about her generation and what it was like for her when she was young. I am always learning something new each time we talk. We both love to talk about what it is like living in NYC. I love it when she shares her memories and experiences of all her years living here. Our chats are priceless!
What would you say to someone else who was deciding whether to become a caring caller with DOROT?
I would say if you are thinking of doing Caring Calls, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! It is easy and fun. These small moments of your time can make such a huge difference in someone’s day. You may also be surprised at the kind of connection and joy you experience as well.