07/13/2026
Mission Monday: Meet Pat, a Guardian who shows up 💙
Not every family is related by blood. Some are built through years of Sunday visits, lunchtime swims, and learning exactly which songs make someone light up.
That's the story of Pat, who has now served as a guardian for two Saint Joe's residents over more than a decade — most recently for Katie. What started as time spent visiting and connecting with residents turned into something much bigger — a role Pat describes as a calling.
"I enjoyed this so much that when I learned a resident needed a guardian, I knew immediately that I wanted to take on this role to help in any way I could. They have genuinely become part of my family."
Pat visits Katie every chance he gets — lunch breaks, weekends, swim days — and shows up for the hard moments too, working alongside her care team to make sure every decision supports her best possible quality of life. Along the way, he's learned that connection doesn't always look the same for every person.
"Some residents enjoy music or singing, while others enjoy it when I make different sounds or even click my wedding ring against their chair. Every resident has different things they like to do; I just needed to spend time with them to figure out what they enjoy. That is how friendship should work with everyone."
Pat's whole family — his wife, sons, and daughters — has joined him in volunteering with Katie over the years. And what he's gained in return, he says, is just as meaningful as what he's given:
"She has helped to make me a more caring and compassionate person... She has helped me learn more about myself, and she has made me a better person."
Guardians like Pat make sure residents have a voice, a friend, and someone in their corner — on the good days and the tough ones. We're grateful for the difference he makes, every single day. 💙🙏
