Ezra & Rada

Last year, ANV member Rada fell in front of her apartment building while carrying groceries. It was a painful, unexpected fall but luckily, a young man asked if she needed help, gathered her groceries, and helped her inside. The next morning, sore but ok, Rada found a note on from Ezra Shapiro saying he was the one that helped her and to give him a call if she ever needed anything. Rada was very touched by the stranger’s kindness, later reached out to thank him, and so began a new friendship.

Rada and Ezra began chatting and getting to know each other—finding connections with the city of Boston and Georgetown University. Ezra says he enjoyed hearing about Rada’s “super interesting life” nnd that during one of their conversations, she mentioned Arlington Neighborhood Village in passing and an organization she appreciated. Ezra looked up ANV and applied to be a volunteer because he, “had been looking for a tangible way to help.” Rada saw Ezra’s name listed as a new volunteer in the ANV newsletter and called to congratulate him for joining. She was pleasantly surprised, because she hadn’t remembered mentioning ANV!

Rada says Ezra is a very special kind of person. His desire to help and connect, “It comes from his heart.” she says, “You can tell.”

As for volunteering with ANV, Ezra says, “I’ve loved it. What I really liked is getting to spend time, hang out, and talk with people who have lived more. They have a lot of wisdom and fascinating stories.”

While a fall is never a good thing, at least Rada’s tumble last year generated some positive outcomes—a genuine connection and friendship and a stellar volunteer added to the village.

Thank you for sharing your story, Rada and Ezra!