SPH volunteer cares for elderly
Stephen Hemrick (SPH’07) is committed to helping Dorchester’s elderly.
Stephen Hemrick (SPH’07) may be a graduate student at Boston University, but he spends much of his time with a slightly more mature crowd. For the past two years, this advocate for the region’s elderly population has clocked numerous hours as volunteer coordinator at Kit Clark Senior Services in Dorchester.
This year brought a new challenge for Hemrick: organizing Kit Clark’s biggest fundraiser to date, the Elsie Frank Meals on Wheels 5K Road Race. Hemrick has been recruiting volunteers for the race, whose proceeds will benefit the Meals on Wheels program and the elder community in Dorchester.
Hemrick’s work with the elder population extends beyond Kit Clark. For years he has provided support to residents of many nursing homes in the Boston area through volunteer work as a nursing home ombudsman, acting as an advocate for seniors in nursing care. Hemrick says that working as an ombudsman for the elderly prompted him to work with Kit Clark and influenced his decision to pursue a master’s degree in the School of Public Health.
The 5K race, which will be held on September 30 along the Neponset River in Dorchester, is named for the late mother of Democratic Congressman Barney Frank. According to Hemrick, Kit Clark’s mission of helping seniors in the area maintain independence and dignity was inspired by Elsie Frank’s efforts throughout her life.
Hemrick hopes that people of all ages will run in the race to support the work of Kit Clark Senior Services in helping more than 4,000 Dorchester seniors.
“I think it’s important to increase people’s awareness about services available to the older population,” he says. The race will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, with registration at 9 a.m. at Pope John Paul II Park. For more information, contact Hemrick at shemrick@kitclark.org