To honor outstanding service to the community, The Volunteer Center of United Way gave special recognition to nine individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond in donating their time and talent to volunteer activities that strengthen the fabric of the region.
Included among those honored was Armonk’s Marian Hamilton for her work at The Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center of Northern Westchester Hospital. It is a “wonderful and beautiful place,” said Marian, where “there is always somebody to listen and talk to” for volunteers to “give support, act as an advocate, and make this time as easy on family as it could be.”
Named after her husband who succumbed to lung cancer in 2004, Marian Hamilton founded the Center to provide an oasis where those in support roles could be empowered to take care of their own needs, and find counseling and relief from the stressful journey of caregiving. Opened in 2007, the Caregivers Center is a place where over 7,000 volunteers have served, and where Marian still serves weekly. Marian continues to be a driving force for the organization, fundraising and offering enthusiasm and new ideas to support family caregivers at the Center.
She feels that all hospitals should have a dedicated support program and place of respite and advocates for similar centers in other facilities. In addition, Marian initiated a Caregivers Center Consortium, a bi-annual conference dedicated to sharing best practice and education on current caregiving issues as well as support.
Continuing to offer emotional support and care for family caregivers whether their loved one is an inpatient or outpatient, Marian has been a driving role model for the meaningful community that they require. The Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center has gone above and beyond simple care for the people who seek comfort: They truly make them feel loved and supported in their time of need and loss.
