CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – At Brightstar Care of Charlottesville, community outreach serves an important role in the work the clinic does. From educating seniors and their families on BrightStar’s services, to just making sure older adults have a good time, the clinic runs a number of events and programs for people all around the community.

“Making those connections is such a huge part of what we do,” Chief Operating Officer and former Community Outreach Director Malina Rivers said.

 

Getting to know Brightstar’s Community Outreach Specialists

Brightstar’s community efforts are spearheaded in part by its two Community Outreach Specialists — Korey Hess and Geoff Hester.

Hess, a former DI basketball player and GA, said his new job has been “a completely new environment for me.” When looking to make his career change, he said he wanted to prioritize making an impact and working directly with the community.

“For me, it was a no-brainer,” he said of joining BrightStar, “This was the perfect role for me.”

Hester’s background before BrightStar was in discharge planning and social work, giving him experience with the aging community that he said Rivers found valuable. He said the change to working with BrightStar has been “awesome.”

 

Bringing both education and fun to the community

As Community Outreach Specialists, Hess said his and Hester’s job is twofold. On one hand, the two aim to bring fun to the aging community, but they also make sure to educate the community as well on topics like homecare and their own well-being.

The two will often work with BrightStar’s partners, like assisted and independent living centers, and bring activities like karaoke, bingo, poker tournaments, cardio drumming and tailgates for UVA football games.

“These guys really will bring the party to you,” River said, “and I do love that about them.”

The two also do activities more focused on educating community members, like the Virtual Dementia Tour.

 

Finding the perfect balance

While some activities are more focused on the fun, Hess and Hester still try to find ways to educate those participating, even if it’s just a passing conversation with an individual.

“They don’t know that we have no minimums,” Hess said. “They don’t know what home care entails. So being able to explain what we do, give them resources and a 30-second elevator pitch to explain that. That doesn’t interrupt the fun, but they’re learning a little bit more about us with the fun, I think is the best way to do it.”

Geoff said it’s usually a passing comment, but the takeaway is they want to make sure people know they’re a part of the community.

“We’re where you are,” he said, “and we’re here to help when you need us.”