Meet Jane, the T.E.A.L.®-nominated Volunteer of the Month for May!
As a licensed physical therapist, Jane volunteers with Tell Every Amazing Lady® by donating her time and expertise to moderate workshops about mindfulness and meditation.
Jane first learned of Tell Every Amazing Lady® a few years ago when she noticed the T.E.A.L.® Community Center in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. Living in the area, she was always interested in learning more about the foundation, but never got around to stopping in. That changed when her sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
As her sister’s main caregiver, she saw the disease up close. Her sister unfortunately passed away a few months later.
Jane later attended a meditation class held in honor of someone with ovarian cancer and ended up meeting and speaking with T.E.A.L.® CEO and Co-Founder Pamela Esposito-Amery. The two chatted and Jane offered that she wanted to help the foundation.
She has since moderated workshops about energy healing movement and meditation at the T.E.A.L.® Community Center, and then online after stay-at-home orders were issued because of COVID-19.
While the latter experience is new, she says she sees its benefits.
“I’m getting used to it. I’m more of an in-person kind of person, but I was able to talk to someone in Florida during a workshop, so, I do like how accessible this way of living and working has made certain things,” she says.
As a physical therapist, for Jane, volunteering her time is second-nature and a rewarding experience.
“I’m in a helping profession, I like to reach out and share with other people. It’s a great way to help without the pressure you can sometimes feel when it’s a job. Volunteering your time is a more open and sharing experience.”
She recommends volunteering to anyone who is considering it.
“When you volunteer you are part of a community of people who care and are passionate. It helps expand a sense of who you are outside of what you do. And I think the situation with COVID-19 has shown greatness of what people can do.”
