Our Employees Create Connection While Social Distancing

A Cox Virtual Volunteer Program Creates Connection for Seniors During Time of Social Distancing

“Hey Patrick, this is Delvin, I’m a volunteer for Cox. I’m calling to see how you’re doing today.”

Just a month after the mandated Stay-At-Home Orders, Delvin, a Senior Learning Advisor in Orange County made his first call to Patrick, a veteran living in Phoenix. Before that call, Patrick and Delvin were strangers, and now they talk every day. Their calls are a source of support, encouragement, and inspiration. Proof that connections can uplift the human spirit.

Their profound connection over a series of daily phone calls is why hundreds of Cox employees are volunteering to make “One Call A Day” to seniors in the communities that we serve. Volunteering for this specific opportunity is personal for Delvin. His mother is 79 years old and staying connected during the global pandemic has been a top priority for him.

“I know that seniors sometimes just need someone to talk to, and this experience has been life-changing for me,” exclaimed Delvin. “My calls with Patrick are intended to be 10-15 minutes, but we often find ourselves talking for over an hour.”

And Patrick shares that this time is very special to him. Before the impact of COVID-19, he relied on his visits to the Veterans Affairs office to spend time with friends. And without that time to socialize with others, he feels lonely and isolated. With just one call a day, we’re able to connect our employee volunteers with seniors to create moments of connection together during a time when we must be physically apart.

So, what’s next for Delvin and Patrick?

“Hopefully, Patrick will soon be able to fly to California and join me and my family for a home-cooked authentic Mexican meal,” said Delvin. Until then, they’ll continue to talk and enjoy the time carved out for their daily calls.

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Cox Communications started One Call a Day in California, matching employee volunteers with aging adults affiliated with local veterans’ groups and senior facilities. The program now has over 50 active volunteers matched with participating seniors from New York City, Washington DC, Ohio, Louisiana, South Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, and California.  The One Call a Day volunteer program will expand into new Cox markets including Rhode Island, Virginia, and Florida.

Watch more of the uplifting conversations unfold in this short film below and see how the power of a simple phone call can change a day, and maybe even a life.

Want to read more stories like this or discover a day in the life of our technology teams at Cox? Check out our employee blog or search for open roles to learn more.