"It's like another family. You see them every day, and we all care about each other. The worst part is that they can be here one day and gone the next."
Growing up just a few blocks from Guadalupe Centers (GCI), Paul was familiar with the organization long before he ever imagined becoming part of it. His connection started with his dad, who was a participant in GCI’s Older Adults Program. Paul would drop his dad off in the mornings and later return to pick him up. At the time, he never expected those routine trips would eventually lead him to a 22-year career with the organization.
When Paul agreed to volunteer with the Older Adults Program, he made one thing clear: he could only commit for a month. He originally told staff he could help through December, but as he continued working with the older adults, that one-month commitment turned into a part-time position. Eventually, he would become the Senior Program Specialist, a position he has held for the past 12 years.
The easiest part of his job is working with the seniors.
“It’s like another family. You see them every day, and we all care about each other. The worst part is that they can be here one day and gone the next.”
That sense of connection is especially meaningful because Paul works with both seniors who come to GCI and those who are homebound. Over the years, he has had countless opportunities to help beyond the usual responsibilities of his job — whether that meant delivering meals, helping someone with a prescription, or even cutting the grass and cleaning the gutters for a senior who needed a little extra help.
That care has gone both ways. Paul remembers a time early in his career when many of the seniors lived in nearby senior apartments and would leave their doors open so he could stop by. During one visit, he found an individual in need of medical assistance on the floor and called 911 to get them help. Incidents like these are few and far between, but they are reminders of the trust and connection that can grow between him and the people he serves.
It’s for the people.
For Paul, being part of GCI’s mission comes down to what the organization does for people. “It’s a good organization. And it helps a lot of people,” he said. “That’s what I like about it.”
After 22 years with the Older Adults Program, Paul has seen firsthand just how much those connections can mean. He has watched seniors build relationships with staff and volunteers, welcomed groups who come to spend time with the older adults, and developed his own relationships that extend well beyond the walls of GCI.
When he isn’t at GCI, Paul enjoys spending time with family, watching the Chiefs and catching a Royals game. But even some of his favorite outings now include the people he serves.