Conversations to Remember has forged impactful connections between volunteers and seniors for over five years. Ethan Leibowitz has seen this program flourish since its inception, and through its evolution, he has grown to deeply appreciate the importance of connection.
The Precursor to Connection
Before Conversations to Remember formally began, Ethan and his friend Aaron, both high school students, visited seniors weekly at a local assisted living community. The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly changed socialization as everyone knew it. With restrictions, quarantines, and isolation in place, many seniors lost what little social interaction they had. Ethan joined Aaron on a weekly video call with one of their previously visited seniors, forming the precursor to Conversations to Remember, which was formally established in 2020. Ethan stated, “The whole mission behind the program has been about senior loneliness. Seniors living in [long-term care communities] tend to be forgotten a lot of the time.”
Tangible Evidence That the Program Works
In the last five years, Ethan graduated from high school and is now a senior finance major at Lehigh University. That weekly call became a cherished tradition for Ethan and the senior, a bond that persisted until her declining health made it impossible for her to continue. He recalled the moment she told them how much she loved and appreciated them. “I could see the emotion on her face and in her voice when she’d express her appreciation for us volunteers. In that moment, I became slightly emotional, as I saw in real time the emotional impact we can have on people’s lives.”
It was clear that she impacted him as much as he impacted her. He continued, “This is what the program was for: creating relationships and bonds with students they would never have met. This is real. This is tangible evidence that this program works.” His dedication is motivated by the “physical and mental impact” he has on the lives of the seniors he volunteers with.
Similarly, Ethan recalled talking to another senior he met through the program—one who expressed comfort and gratitude through a different way: humor. He shared, “Due to our weekly conversations, he was extremely content and even excited to continue learning and growing with our group. He just wanted to make us smile the way we had been doing for him.”
Mentoring Future Volunteers
Not only has Ethan connected with many seniors, but he has also supported a tremendous number of college students, each with their own story to share. In addition to serving as a volunteer on weekly calls, Ethan has also served as a volunteer trainer, mentoring prospective students to help them succeed in their own virtual weekly visits.
Throughout his five years, he has guided close to a thousand college students, leading them through the program’s training process and preparing them for the real deal by hosting mock calls. “Knowing that as long as I continue to volunteer, I’m contributing to countless more students’ and seniors’ blossoming relationships is why I continue to take part in Conversations to Remember,” Ethan added. Indeed, his long-term dedication reflects both his compassion and his belief in the program’s mission.
Looking Ahead
When asked about where he sees Conversations to Remember in the next five years, Ethan smiled. “We’ve been so successful with helping seniors. We’re still around. If there had to be the next step, maybe it’s expanding to other countries. There are still so many seniors out there.” During those same five years, Ethan has his own future plans: to work in New York as a rotational finance associate while also continuing to volunteer for Conversations to Remember.
Ethan offered some additional advice for others who want to volunteer. Through his work as a volunteer trainer and on weekly video calls, he understands that serving as a weekly volunteer is more complex than just chatting with friends. It involves dedication, patience, and skill. “Take the training very seriously. It’s not as easy as you think. There is a lot to it. Be ready to talk! Be a bit more expressive than you normally would be!”
We deeply appreciate your positive attitude and valuable contributions to this program, Ethan! Thank you for helping shape Conversations to Remember into the amazing organization that it is today.
