Service

Question: How can I use my strengths to make a positive impact in my community today?

My Story:

Some people wait to be asked. Judy doesn’t. The moment she senses someone is struggling, her instinct is to step in and help … gently, respectfully, and wholeheartedly. “It’s just how I roll,” she says. “It’s in my DNA.”

Throughout her life and career, Judy has followed that instinct, especially in moments of vulnerability. When people around her face illness, grief, or emotional weight, she doesn’t shy away. She offers time, presence, and listening. Not just for her closest friends. It’s often for neighbors or acquaintances who simply need someone who will lend some support or an ear. Judy meets them where they are, without judgment, and with an openness that invites trust. And even in serious moments, she brings a lightness—a gentle sense of humor that reminds people they’re still whole and themselves, even when life is heavy.

After decades working in the nonprofit sector, she’s attuned to what people need, even when they can’t articulate it themselves. She finds particular meaning in showing up for others in ways that feel thoughtful, unforced, and deeply rooted. There’s nothing transactional about it. In her words, “It makes me feel whole — like I’m connected to something bigger than myself.”

She understands why some people hesitate to help. They worry about overstepping or getting the tone wrong. Her advice is simple: notice the people around you. Pay attention. You don’t have to look far to find someone who could use a hand, a ride, or a meaningful conversation.

Being of service isn’t a role Judy plays; it’s the lens through which she sees the world. She leads with empathy, follows through with care, and finds deep satisfaction in making life just a little easier for someone else.

“Offering help isn’t about having the perfect words or the right timing. It’s about showing up with sincerity and letting people know they matter to me.”

- Judy