Karen began her volunteer journey with Southern Maine Agency on Aging in 2019. A former South Berwick resident and now living in Kittery, she understands Southern York County well, including the quiet, rural pockets that exist just beyond busy town centers. These are the neighbors who grew up in these towns and now face isolation, limited transportation, and growing challenges as they age. 

Karen first became involved with Southern Maine Agency on Aging through the A Matter of Balance program. After training, she was paired with another coach, and the two have been teaching together ever since at community centers and libraries across Eliot, Kittery, North Berwick, and York. 

What Karen quickly discovered was that A Matter of Balance is about far more than exercise for older adults. Participants often arrive as strangers. “Usually even by the second class they’re all talking, sharing stories, making friends quickly,” she says. Many continue meeting after the class ends to exercise together. For participants, the class becomes one of the tools that helps them remain independent, especially in rural Maine, where fear of falling during winter weather is very real. 

When COVID arrived, the need for connection grew even stronger. “It was so unknown and so scary,” Karen recalls. As in-person programs paused, Southern Maine Agency on Aging pivoted to online wellness classes. Karen stepped in to help with the administrative side, knowing how isolated many people had become. Even through a screen, the classes provided routine, familiarity, and a sense of connection. Through this work, Karen’s commitment to helping older adults only deepened. 

That same commitment shone through as Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program expanded eligibility during this time and urgently needed more drivers. Karen and her husband, Tim, stepped in to help meet the rising need. Through Meals on Wheels, they reached older adults living in rural areas with health concerns and limited transportation, providing not only nutritious meals but also regular check-ins and human connection. 

Meals on Wheels recipients often tell Karen how much they enjoy the meals and how meaningful it is to have their dietary needs and preferences respected. “It is so important to know that you’re providing them what they like and what they need,” she says. On her delivery route, she also sees the realities of rural poverty up close. 

Some recipients live in trailers and have narrowed their living space to one or two rooms so they can afford heat during the winter months. Others cannot shovel their walkways due to illness or lack of funds. These face-to-face wellness check-ins allow volunteers like Karen and staff to notice emerging needs and help connect older adults to additional resources and community partners. 

Karen makes a point to spend extra time with one Meals on Wheels recipient who has no one else to talk to during the week. “I won’t give up that route because we’ve connected and we have a special bond,” she says. Moments like these, including reconnecting with a recipient after medical challenges and sharing a hug, are what stay with her most. “It’s an incredible feeling when you’ve brought a smile to a person’s face for the day.” 

“Every interaction I’ve had with staff, volunteers, and clients has reinforced how compassionate and effective the organization is,” Karen says. That belief led her to serve as a Volunteer Ambassador, going out into Southern York County communities to share information about Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s programs, services, and many volunteer opportunities. “You always hear that volunteers get as much out of volunteering as those they help, and it’s so true,” she adds, noting that many people simply do not realize help is available or how many ways there are to give back. 

Across all of her volunteer roles, Karen sees one consistent truth. People want to stay independent and remain in their homes for as long as possible. Through A Matter of Balance, Meals on Wheels, wellness programming, and community outreach, Karen helps ensure that older adults across Southern York County, especially those in rural pockets, are seen, supported, and able to remain in the homes they love.

Learn more about Meals on Wheels here.
Learn more about Agewell here.
Learn more about volunteering here.