Former volunteer leaves fast-paced career to make every day count
For 27 years, Pamela Hoover did what most of us do every day. She drove to the office, she completed her work and she returned home. She successfully fulfilled her leadership role as the art director and head of merchandising design for a larger corporation that makes t-shirts. Despite the fast-paced lifestyle, the traveling and the stress, Hoover’s career was moving forward. And life was good.
Later that year, however, her mother’s health took a turn for the worst. “I flew back to New York, thinking that it was going to be a visit. My sisters and I all thought we were simply going to an oncologist appointment with her.”
Little did they know that God would welcome her mother into his kingdom that same week. That’s when she started soul-searching and really thought about her life.
“I decided that I wanted to give more than take,” said Hoover. “Seeing a family member in that state really makes you look at your own mortality and what you’re here for and what is your purpose in life.”
She thought about life’s big questions, one of them being, ‘What am I doing to contribute to this world?’
With years of passion and knowledge of art, she somehow already had an answer to her question.
“What I would really like to do is teach art or do art classes,” said Hoover. “That’s when I started looking into art therapy.” She wanted to help people and that’s when the ball got rolling.
“When I get into something, I’m all in,” said Hoover.
And that’s exactly what happened. She quickly became a member of The American Art Therapy Association and began reading as much as she could about art therapy.
One day, God’s grace would lend its helping hand. A former coworker’s mother reached out to Hoover and invited her to Lakewood Worship and Service Center, simply stating, “You should go visit the people [at the Adult Day Center]. They would love to have somebody help them with their art.” Hoover agreed.
“I came here, and I just loved it,” she reflected.
From there, she was asked to do a volunteer art classes for the participants of the Adult Day Center once a week, some of whom battle dementia, alzheimer’s or traumatic brain injuries. This struck a chord.
It didn’t take long before Lakewood staff asked if Hoover wanted to be on call, then part-time, then full-time, next floor supervisor, and then assistant activity director.
“I loved it here so much that one thing led to another, and I couldn’t leave,” said Hoover. “Every day you laugh, smile, feel good about what you’re doing, and you feel like you’ve made a difference.”
Flash forward seven years – she now serves as the activities director at the Adult Day Center in Maplewood, Minn., and the art program is a hit.
Things are certainly different for Hoover. Never before did she feel like she had made a difference through her work.
She stated that when you feel tired here it’s a good thing. It means you’re making a difference. To Hoover, making a person smile is incredibly rewarding because “you never know if that smile is the last they’ll ever have”. She’s proud to know Lakewood staff make moments like these happen daily.
What’s more, she sees how the art program uplifts the participants’ spirits.
“To see somebody express themselves in their art and be proud of what they created is worth it. Whatever they are expressing at the end of that paintbrush or pencil, no one can take that from them.”
Even those who can’t hold a paint brush are enabled to create artwork of their own by using sponges. “They can choose a color, practice new techniques and feel pride in what they have accomplished.”
Looking back on her decision, Hoover has no regrets. “I couldn’t leave this place if I tried,” she said. “It’s no longer about climbing the corporate ladder; it’s about giving back and creating the best experience for the participants.”
She later admitted that she didn’t know much about The Salvation Army before becoming a volunteer at Lakewood several years ago.
“I thought it was similar to other nonprofits that help with disaster relief or housing the homeless. If people knew that The Salvation Army offered an interactive and caring program for adults, they’d want to bring them here. It’s affordable, and they get to do so many things. I’m really proud to be part of that.”
Visit the Adult Day Center online or learn more by calling 651-779-9858.