Article by Kathleen Thomas, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2022 March)
“I’ve always wanted to help people,” says Laurie Warhol, a retired social worker who has made Fairfax County her home for the past 30 years. “I really enjoy working with people to help them get their needs met.”
A few years ago, after Laurie retired, she helped her friend with a project at the Sully Senior Center. When the project was finished, Laurie realized how much she enjoyed working with a group of women from the center and connecting with them. She approached the center director, Lynne Lott, about starting a Women’s Group. Lott was very supportive and a short time later Warhol was leading a weekly meeting with several women.
She begins each Women’s Group meeting with meditation time. “I think it helps them think about how to use meditation when they get upset or anxious about something going on in their lives.” They spend the rest of the hour discussing whatever is on their minds and sharing ideas.
“I get as much out of it as they do,” she says. “The women in the group are wonderful.”
“Laurie’s group gives participants an opportunity to express themselves in a supportive setting. Everyone returns with smiles,” says Lynne Lott, the director of the Sully Senior Center. “I like that it connects people who are not in the same social group, and it gives people a chance to really get to know others they may not regularly speak with." Lott says volunteers are really helping the center continue to offer a supportive and safe environment for participants.
The Women’s Group started in 2018 but had to pause once the pandemic hit. However, in late January, the group began meeting again at the Sully Senior Center every Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
As someone who likes to read, Laurie also gravitated to volunteering at the Chantilly Regional Library helping to price and box books for the book sale. She says she has met some very nice women and enjoys the social part too.
“Volunteering is a give and take activity. Yes, I am helping others, but I am also getting something out of it,” says Laurie.
Laurie believes being the oldest of six children partly influenced her interest in pursuing a profession where she could help others. She has a brother who is intellectually disabled and saw her parents struggle to advocate for the services he needed. She says experiencing that also influenced her.
Laurie majored in sociology and social work at Seton Hall University. She went on to obtain her Master’s in Social Work from Catholic University of America and remained in the area after graduation.
During her career, Laurie worked for Child Protective Services on cases of child abuse and neglect. She still works part-time providing online therapy and supervision. She notes that many families need resources and help to figure out what is available to them. “Even though I am retired, I still want to do social work kinds of things.”
When she is not helping others, Laurie and her life partner, Joe, enjoy going to their condo near Rehoboth, DE and spending time with their two dogs, Skylar and Simon.
“I also love to travel with friends or visit friends,” says Laurie who visited Yellowstone National Park before the pandemic. “My last trip out of the country before the pandemic was with friends to Ireland. I would love to resume traveling but feel like it is not safe yet.” She says Prince Edward Island, Alaska and Italy are among the favorite places she has visited already.
Laurie has words of advice for anyone thinking about volunteering. “It can be very fulfilling and rewarding. You will feel good about yourself knowing that you are making an important difference in someone’s life. You are also making others feel valued.”
She recommends thinking about your passions and interests and looking for opportunities in those areas. “Volunteering should be fun, something you enjoy and can lose yourself in and forget about other problems. So many organizations need volunteers and would love to have you,” she says. “If you don’t think you have the time, you will be amazed how you can find the time to do something you really like.”
Find opportunities to volunteer in Fairfax County.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).