Nila started volunteering at the Merced Rescue Mission in 2017, helping where she could. In 2019, she began volunteering in the Respite Care program. She spent most of her time working with participants who needed that little extra care due to their health issues. Nila had her own health concerns, so she was able to approach them with understanding.
For most of our participants, the medical field can be hard to navigate, and their health is the last thing on their minds. Nila spent most of her hours helping them understand the importance of a healthy diet, healthy numbers for blood pressure, mental health, and managing their diabetes. She would meet the participants where they were and help them get to a place of self-sufficiency. Nila loved going to commencement nights and seeing the Respite Care participants receive a certificate for completing health courses. As Nila watched many participants suffer in their last days, she served as an advocate who fought for their dignity.
On January 2, 2020, Nila became an employee of the Rescue Mission, and that is when her light shined even brighter on our participants who needed a little more time for recuperation. On January 13, 2024, Nila went home to be with the Lord. Many employees and participants were affected by her passing. Today, 9 months later, participants still walk into the Respite Care office and see Nila's hand in the things we do and the way we approach the participants.
When the Rescue Mission opened a new house for Short-term Post Hospitalization, it was named Nila’s Place in honor of her work and her life of dedication to those she served. We continue helping participants who need that extra little help and assistance with the medical field and their health issues. Since Nila’s Place opened, we have received many compliments on how the house feels when you walk in. A few of the participants knew Nila and said they could feel her presence and love there. We hope that we can continue to serve others the way Nila did.
