Volunteers are a vital part of our community at RP Home. They enrich residents’ daily lives by providing social interactions and supporting activity programs—just to name a few. And we rely on volunteers like Tina Degonish to support our mission and enhance our residents’ social, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Tina first visited RP Home in 2001. At the time, the church she regularly attended had closed its doors. Coincidentally, one of Tina’s fellow churchgoers moved into RP Home around the same time that the church ceased its services. After visiting her friend and fellow worshiper at RP Home, Tina felt called to begin volunteering with our organization. We are blessed that Tina continues to visit our residents!
At the start of our career, Tina obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Although she is now retired (after 32 years of work with the U.S. Postal Service), Tina continues to volunteer at RP Home and uses her education as a social worker to give back to her community. Undoubtedly, she transfers these skills into her interactions with the residents.
Additionally, Tina incorporates her talents into her visits by playing the guitar to enrich our monthly Catholic Mass. Music is traditionally a fantastic way to connect with residents, especially residents with memory loss.
Tina and her husband, Mark, have two daughters and one son. She enjoys being a grandmother to ten grandchildren (seven of them under the age of 8!).
We asked Tina what she would want to share with others at RP Home. She stated, “How dedicated the nurses, aides and personnel are to their jobs, especially during the pandemic. I am humbled by my presence with the residents going through end-of-life. They have taught me about their life, and I will forever cherish them.”
We are grateful to Tina for her 22 years of service to RP Home. She and every one of our volunteers improve the well-being of each resident.