As National Volunteer Month continues, we want to highlight and share more stories about our amazing volunteers. We are so thankful for the support the the Junior League of Washington has provided, and wanted to highlight some of the volunteers.
Leslie Siphers started volunteering at Iona in 2017 through the Junior League of Washington, helping with the weekend meal delivery program. She served as the Junior League’s Iona Committee Chair in 2020 – 2021 and was the Vice Chair from 2021 – present. Leslie is currently the senior campaign manager for Livable Communities at AARP.
Leslie says she enjoys volunteering with Iona because she is “able to make a direct and positive impact on the lives of older adults in the city. And all of the staff and volunteers are so lovely to work with!”
When she’s not volunteering, you can find Leslie spoiling her dog, baking, running, watching true crime documentaries, and reading historical fiction novels.
Jinean L. Carter started volunteering at Iona in 2022 through the Junior League and will serve as the Chair of the Junior League’s Iona Committee in the 2023 – 2024 program year. She loves to connect people to people and people to resources.
When asked why she enjoys volunteering with Iona, Jinean says, “Iona is my mother’s namesake. Just hearing the name brings me so much joy and reminds me of her.”
Jinean took care of both of her senior parents before their passing, so she knows the importance of having excellent caregivers and accessibility to resources that cater to seniors. She enjoys seeing the smile on the older adults’ faces when they receive their Saturday produce delivery.
Jinean says, “the highlight of my time at Iona this year was the Memory Café dinner. It was wonderful to see the guests out on a date night with their family and caregivers.”
When she isn’t volunteering, Jinean enjoys riding her Peloton bike.
Maria Moussa is a strategic pricing advisor, originally from Atlanta, GA. She started volunteering at Iona in 2021 through the Junior League of Washington and has been the Chair of the Junior League’s Iona Committee from 2021 – 2023.
Maria enjoys volunteering with Iona because she likes brightening someone’s day by bringing them something they want or giving them something unexpected.
Maria speaks five languages – English, French, Arabic, Spanish, American Sign Language, and she enjoys baking and hosting friends when she isn’t volunteering.
Interested in volunteering with Iona? Contact our volunteer manager at volunteer@iona.org to get started.
