By Lin Sue Flood
Photo courtesy of Hospice of the Valley
Jacobo Dieppa’s fondest memory is spending time with family and friends in the Cuban household in Miami where he grew up.
Now living with his only daughter, Elena, in Phoenix, the 91-year-old Hospice of the Valley patient still yearns to be around people. That’s why both are so grateful for Brian Robles, a Spanish-speaking volunteer who visits every week. His companionship lifts the spirits of Dieppa and gives Elena a break from being a full-time caregiver.
“It’s made a huge difference. Without this socialization, my father would be depressed,” Elena shares. “He loves his volunteer!”
Robles started volunteering eight years ago, after a close relative received compassionate care from the nonprofit hospice. “I liked Hospice of the Valley’s mission and holistic approach,” he recalls. “There is tremendous value in the services provided for families on a hospice journey.”
Though he was born in the U.S., Robles lived in Guatemala until middle school. “Spanish is my first language and is at the forefront of my identity.” When a patient like Dieppa, who can speak English, requests a Spanish-speaking volunteer, Robles feels honored to provide support in his patient’s native language.
“I know that Jacobo is craving that cultural connection,” Robles says.
Despite his full-time job and juggling the demands of a growing family, the new Valley homeowner has found a way to carve out a few hours each week to be there for Dieppa. “This kind of service is badly needed in the Hispanic community,” Robles shares. “And volunteering has been very grounding. Every patient is different, there’s always something to learn.”
The relationship between volunteer and patient is a two-way street. On a recent visit, Dieppa shared some parenting advice with 32-year-old Robles, who will be a first-time dad soon. The two have grown close.
“Brian is a really good guy with a big heart,” Dieppa reflects. “I love his company. I treat him like family.”
