Director's Message
Sue Tillett June 2005Goodbye to Sue Tillett June 2005
Sue Tillett has worked at the Senior Resource Center for 27 years. She has watched the agency grow from a two-person operation to ten, from serving seniors in HABOP housing to include the wider community. She has matched people with HomeFriend and LINK volunteers to help them maintain their independence at home. She helped many young students find their talents for making a difference in someone’s life. She has visited dozens of people through the years, assuring them that someone cared and making sure they were aware of every resource available to them. She has helped hundreds find the information and services they need in the community. Sue has trained many staff (including me) about the programs available, the personalities involved and the people we needed to watch out for.
I have many memories of working with Sue. It will never cease to amaze me when we are driving somewhere in the car and she will tell me exactly where to turn. Through co-leading the Let’s Talk Group, I learned a lot about Sue’s fearless escapades as an adolescent, which continues to be manifest in her willingness to take on any new adventure. I know Sue prefers to meet with people one-on-one, and that she kept detailed records of each person she met with regularly—largely in her head. I know Sue will never stop advocating for disabled and older people in Princeton. One day last month we were returning to Spruce Circle from Redding Circle and Sue mentioned that she has long wanted a bench half-way between Redding and the Shopping Center. I wrote a letter, and today got a response that the Township will soon install a bench which in my mind will be “Sue’s Bench.” I am always touched by the stories told by LINK participants about the lasting friendships that have grown out of the matches she has initiated. And you can’t think of Sue without thinking of her loyal companion dog(s), who have been just as happy as Sue to be making the visiting rounds every week.
We will all miss Sue. We also respect her desire to follow that intrepid explorer spirit within that wants to see what else might be out there. We should probably all learn from her courage to step out of the old familiar environment to explore new venues. And we are glad to know that she will still be around, so we will see her and get updates on her adventures.
I have begun the interviewing process to hire a new social service staff person. I know that it will take a special person to fill these shoes, so I want to take time to ensure that we find the right person to oversee LINK and be a part of the social service team in the office, doing home visits and leading groups. Susan HoskinsExecutive DirectorBits & PiecesItching to explore new places?
Susan W. Hoskins LCSW |
Previous MessagesJuly - August 2013 My cat, My Father and Me June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |