Photo:Elaine Gibson
Elaine Gibson
Elaine Gibson has worked at Montefiore Hospital in New York City for nearly 25 yearsWhile on the job, the mother and grandmother hands out hand-written notes of inspiration and encouragementGibson has also volunteered for 10 years at a local women’s shelter, and hopes to open one of her own one dayFor Elaine Gibson, giving back is what makes her whole.Ever since the COVID pandemic, the Bronx, N.Y., hospital worker has become a source of optimism for those who frequent the cafe where she not only works, but also hands out something extra: handwritten notes of encouragement.“I noticed people really needed it,” Gibson, 53, tells PEOPLE.Many who visit Montefiore Hospital’s Moses Campus do so under trying circumstances, and Gibson — who has worked at the facility for nearly 25 years now — aims to lift up everyone she comes into contact with.Books and experiences from her own life, not to mention quotes she hears at church, inspire the motivational words, which sit in a clear box near the cash register where she greets customers with her trademark smile.“When someone does something wrong, don’t forget the things they did right,” reads one, while another advises, “be obsessively grateful.“Sometimes, the words really resonate, so much so that Gibson says she has people tell her, “‘Oh my God, you must have known what I really needed to hear.’ ”In reality, Gibson says that what others don’t know is, “I wrote it for me.“She explains that whatever kind of message is on those cards, be it “love or joy,” she has to feel it herself in order to be able to “put that out there that same day.“But it’s her work outside the hospital at a women’s homeless shelter near Yankee Stadium that has recently been the Belize native’s greatest source of pride.Every month for the last 10 years, Gibson has served her local community, taking along with her a core group of volunteers she calls “The Grateful 8.“Under Gibson’s direction, the volunteers have helped more than 200 women gain confidence while they have fun playing games and listening to music. The mother and grandmother also shares home-cooked food, clothes, and most recently, has donated feminine hygiene products, thanks to an anesthesiologist and medical students at Montefiore Einstein.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Through it all, Gibson finds strength in her service to others, even three years after her 22-year-old son Miles was killed in a Manhattan nightclub shooting.Miles used to visit the shelter with his mother, she recalls, so his spirit lives on through her work there.Elaine Gibson and her late son, Miles.Elaine GibsonHer role at the shelter can be boiled down to love — and knowing the value of a good hug.In fact, Gibson says that every time she volunteers, she randomly picks 10 women to embrace, literally and emotionally.One of of those women, Esra Fares, credits Gibson with giving her the motivation to build a new life. “Elaine is my family now, she has changed my life,” Fares, 25, tells PEOPLE.As for the future, Gibson hopes to be able to open a shelter of her own.“If they see the love that you’re giving them — you can’t have your guard up because then that’s when they start reacting,” she says, “but if you show love, love is so powerful.”
For Elaine Gibson, giving back is what makes her whole.
Ever since the COVID pandemic, the Bronx, N.Y., hospital worker has become a source of optimism for those who frequent the cafe where she not only works, but also hands out something extra: handwritten notes of encouragement.
“I noticed people really needed it,” Gibson, 53, tells PEOPLE.
Many who visit Montefiore Hospital’s Moses Campus do so under trying circumstances, and Gibson — who has worked at the facility for nearly 25 years now — aims to lift up everyone she comes into contact with.
Books and experiences from her own life, not to mention quotes she hears at church, inspire the motivational words, which sit in a clear box near the cash register where she greets customers with her trademark smile.
“When someone does something wrong, don’t forget the things they did right,” reads one, while another advises, “be obsessively grateful.”
Sometimes, the words really resonate, so much so that Gibson says she has people tell her, “‘Oh my God, you must have known what I really needed to hear.’ ”
In reality, Gibson says that what others don’t know is, “I wrote it for me.”
She explains that whatever kind of message is on those cards, be it “love or joy,” she has to feel it herself in order to be able to “put that out there that same day.”
But it’s her work outside the hospital at a women’s homeless shelter near Yankee Stadium that has recently been the Belize native’s greatest source of pride.
Every month for the last 10 years, Gibson has served her local community, taking along with her a core group of volunteers she calls “The Grateful 8.”
Under Gibson’s direction, the volunteers have helped more than 200 women gain confidence while they have fun playing games and listening to music. The mother and grandmother also shares home-cooked food, clothes, and most recently, has donated feminine hygiene products, thanks to an anesthesiologist and medical students at Montefiore Einstein.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Through it all, Gibson finds strength in her service to others, even three years after her 22-year-old son Miles was killed in a Manhattan nightclub shooting.
Miles used to visit the shelter with his mother, she recalls, so his spirit lives on through her work there.
Elaine Gibson and her late son, Miles.Elaine Gibson
Her role at the shelter can be boiled down to love — and knowing the value of a good hug.
In fact, Gibson says that every time she volunteers, she randomly picks 10 women to embrace, literally and emotionally.
One of of those women, Esra Fares, credits Gibson with giving her the motivation to build a new life. “Elaine is my family now, she has changed my life,” Fares, 25, tells PEOPLE.
As for the future, Gibson hopes to be able to open a shelter of her own.
“If they see the love that you’re giving them — you can’t have your guard up because then that’s when they start reacting,” she says, “but if you show love, love is so powerful.”
source: people.com