Donate Your Cell Phone

An elderly woman lives on the top floor of our Elderly/Disabled apartment house. One of the residents here who lives directly across from her has a “scary” temper. He’s loud and rude and the residents here are cautious when he’s around them. He seems to enjoy yelling at people and cussing.

This lady became afraid to take the elevator to her floor alone because of the obnoxious man who lived across from her. At night she was especially concerned. Whenever she could, she asked another gentleman resident to take the elevator up with her.

As the Resident Service Coordinator, I asked the woman if she’d like a cell phone, explaining that she could keep it with her all the time and if she became frightened she could call 911. She was delighted. I explained that she would only be able to use the phone to call 911 and she had to tell the responder where she was and what town she was in as they would not be able to track her call.

Having the cell phone has essentially changed her life. She really is no longer afraid to go up to her apartment. She is more self assured. It’s amazing to see the difference in her since she was given the opportunity to protect herself by using the phone. Thank you for allowing my residents access to this program. It has made a huge difference in this woman’s life.

Contributed by Donna Waterman, Resident Services Coordinator – Washington House