The Value of Giving Outside Oneself

April 14, 2025

Laura Anderson

Educators have a giving nature in their DNA that is easily seen in Karen Jahn. Karen came to SaddleBrooke in 2006 from Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO, via Washington. Having taught for eighteen years, Karen continued to work with children, volunteering with Kids Closet until she decided to do something different, which led her to Senior Village.

Having read about Senior Village in the newspaper, Karen started her new volunteer career as a Going My Way driver. Shortly thereafter, she met Judy Cummings from the membership team, igniting a new passion for Karen to work directly with the members of Senior Village in SaddleBrooke. The one-on-one meetings resonated with Karen, and she volunteered on the Membership team for a year and a half before becoming team leader.

Karen recalls the challenges faced by Senior Village in 2020 during COVID-19. The vaccination clinic offered to all residents of SaddleBrooke created an influx of new members for Senior Village. As team leader, Karen connected with residents interested in joining Senior Village, setting up intake visits and completing the registration process.  After three years in her volunteer leadership role, Karen transitioned to a Senior Village Staff position as Member Coordinator.

Karen works with Senior Village’s Support, Moving On, and Forms and Documents teams, collaborating on services for members they share. She also works closely with Friendly Connections for check-ins and inquiries. She reaches out to members 85 years and older, ensuring their needs have not changed. Karen’s team of twelve volunteers for the Second Time Around program makes one-on-one visits with members who joined Senior Village between 2016 and 2019. During these visits, they update information, provide current details on Senior Village services, and verify any emergency contact information, phone numbers, and potential changes.

Karen’s compassion for members of Senior Village and the wisdom she demonstrates in support of the most fragile among us makes her a valued member of the Senior Village team. When asked why working with Senior Village is rewarding after almost ten years, Karen shared, “It is so beneficial for any person to do something outside themselves as it reminds you how worthwhile it is to volunteer and give back to your community.”