Kate Boyer Matter of Balance Lay Coach

“I saw a newspaper announcement for becoming a Matter of Balance lay coach and my life hasn’t been the same since.”  And thus began the varied volunteer life of Kate Boyer, HealthReach RSVP volunteer since 2006.  Kate’s strong background in teaching and exercise made her a perfect match for Matter of Balance, as well as Bone Builders and Living Well: Chronic Disease Self-Management.

Matter of Balance helps aging adults reduce fear of falling and increase confidence and activity levels. Bone Builders is an osteoporosis prevention program designed to improve bone health through weight-bearing exercises and proper eating habits. Living Well gives people living with chronic disease and family caregivers the skills to manage their health and stay active. 

Kate is active in Kennebec and Somerset counties working with Ruth Saint Amand, Director of HealthReach RSVP, which is based in Waterville. Kate leads an average of two Matter of Balance classes and trainings per year and just completed her first Bone Builders class.

Kate’s enthusiasm and support make her very popular among class participants like Lucille, who took Kate’s first Bone Builders class.
“Kate makes exercising enjoyable and fun,” Lucille said. “My energy level is better and I look forward to days of exercise. We elderly folks need this.”

Kate has become a strong base for RSVP’s ongoing exercise programs. She is actively involved in presenting these programs to the public through demonstrations at RSVP events and can always be counted on to “get the job done,” no matter where or when. It is volunteers like Kate that help make HealthReach RSVP recognized in the community. Kudos to Kate for her commitment to RSVP volunteers and programs.

Jim and Jane Sinclair:  UMaine CoA RSVP Members

It all began a long time ago … at their church, Jim and Jane Sinclair taught Sunday school together, and they have been a volunteering couple ever since. Most recently and over the past seven years, following Jim’s retirement, they have teamed up to volunteer together for Meals for ME in Bangor, the Ecumenical Food Cupboard in Bangor, and My Friend’s Place. Both expressed their enjoyment in volunteering. Jim remarks that “We have fun together, and volunteering together is very rewarding.” Jane looks forward to those days when they are volunteering together, and comments that “Jim is a nice backup to have with me. We enjoy working together, and we complement each other in our strengths and weaknesses.”

As a team, Jim and Jane Sinclair deliver meals to as many as 16 individuals on their Meals for ME route. Jim does the driving and Jane brings the meal, and a smile, to the door. Jane mentions, “The clients are always glad to see us and so happy to get their meal. Sometimes we are the only people they see on that day, because they can’t get out at all.” Jim explains that the client often knows when he and Jane will arrive with their meal and are already sitting at the table with fork-in-hand when they get there -- this is the moment of truth -- when you realize just how special and important a good meal and your volunteer services are to others.

At the Ecumenical Food Cupboard, Jane is at the window greeting and helping folks as they come in, while Jim is on the fly in the pantry, bagging and boxing up groceries. Jim tells me that he receives much satisfaction in volunteering at the Food Cupboard. “The folks are so very grateful for the food and whatever little thing we do for them and their families. It makes me feel good to be able to help them in this way, and it makes me realize how fortunate we are.” Jane adds that “The Food Cupboard is usually very busy, and the people are always so glad that we are there for them. They leave happy, and that makes us happy.”

But, just when you think they are having too much fun, the fun doesn’t stop there. Jane points out that she and Jim spend a major portion of their volunteer time serving at a very special place called ‘My Friend’s Place’ – a day program for adults coping with memory loss -- located at their church, the First United Methodist Church in Bangor. Here they volunteer together in a variety of capacities. Jim often transports clients to and from the program in the donated van, while their caregivers are trying to manage jobs, attend appointments, or do errands and chores such as grocery shopping. Jane serves as an activities aide with the program and helps to provide four hours of theme-based social activities for the clients. Jane mentions that, “These people are so happy to be doing something -- if they didn’t go there, they might not have a lot to do. They need the social contact and they have a good time -- it’s fun to see their faces light up, and it gives their caregivers some time for themselves.” Jim concurs, “They love to participate and it’s so nice to see a smile on their face.”

In summary, when it comes to volunteering together, Jim and Jane find it very rewarding and are happy for the special time together -- and judging by their smiles and admiring glances toward each other, one would say that -- it may even possess a little magic. Thank you, Jim and Jane, for sharing your volunteer story and for being such fine examples of Senior Volunteers Responding to Community Needs.