‘An unfound gem’: Older Fishtown residents find purpose and friendship volunteering at Lutheran Settlement House
From WHYY: Older adult volunteers at Lutheran Settlement House make up more than half of all volunteer hours across the organization.
Photos courtesy of Ryan Chi for WHYY.
Over the last two decades, Fishtown has undergone rapid gentrification and become a desired neighborhood for younger and wealthier Philadelphians. But the fast-changing environment has also disrupted social networks and community ties for some of the area’s oldest residents.
The organization, they say, has become a place of connection and opportunity where they can form new friendships, get aging-related resources and find a renewed purpose in volunteering.
“It’s a great place to be on so many levels,” said Joan Creamer, 83, a regular volunteer. “It’s like an unfound gem in this city.”
