Service and friendship

By Sam Harvey
Staff Reporter

Christina Del Viscio has taken a “leap of faith,” leaving her business, home, friends and social life behind to make a brand new start in Sussex County.

	Coastal Point • SAM HARVEY Christina Del Viscio, of Shining Star Home Helpers.

Del Viscio recently started up the Shining Star Home Helpers, based on an old-fashioned philosophy — “It’s about people coming together and caring for each other,” she said.

Originally from the Philadelphia suburbs (Delaware County), she recalled the religious upbringing that molded her outlook, on business and life in general.

Del Viscio attended Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School. She participated in a vocational nurses’ aide program there, visiting the hospital to observe doctors and surgeons at work.

After graduation, she went to work in a nursing home and did some private duty nursing.

She shifted her attentions to family life after the birth of her son, Stephen, in 1986.

She eventually returned to work, starting her own cleaning service. Del Viscio stayed busy, and threw in side work here and there as well.

At one time, she had four jobs going simultaneously.

“I’ve been blessed with high energy, and that’s a good thing,” Del Viscio stated. “I get a lot done.”

In time, her son departed for college — Del Viscio reported he was studying international business at Kutztown University (in Pennsylvania). “Can you tell I’m proud?” she beamed.

Del Viscio had been running the housekeeping business for 17 years at that point, and she said she was ready for something that involved a little more personal interaction.

“I wanted to start working more with people,” she pointed out. “I was just ready for a change.”

She bought property in Ocean View last September (near her mother’s place). A few months later a star was born.

Shining Star Home Helpers offer a variety of services.

• Transportation to and from appointments
• Companionship
• Housekeeping
• Errands
• Shopping
• House and pet sitting

“Unfortunately, everyone is so busy today they just don’t have the time,” Del Viscio pointed out — and in some cases, they just aren’t in a position to manage the mental and physical strain of taking care of their aging parents, she added.

While some people will have more significant needs than others, and may need nursing care, Shining Star Home Helpers covers many general caretaking duties.

Del Viscio said she hoped to take those services a step further, though.

She expressed an enthusiasm for motivating people who might be isolating. “I like getting people together, making introductions,” she pointed out.

She recognized some people might prefer one-on-one interaction instead, in which case she’d just do her best to encourage and support, without pushing.

However, for those with an interest, Shining Star Home Helpers should provide an opportunity for customers to make socials, bingos, church services or senior center activities.

As Del Viscio pointed out, the business isn’t just for seniors, either. She said they’d been providing transportation for a young lady, who couldn’t drive due to a medical condition.

Young, old or in-between, she said she was looking forward to making new friends.

“You have to let people know that somebody in this world cares about them, and that’s our job,” Del Viscio stated. “We’ve got to go back to caring and sharing.”

She said she’d feel guilty if she were too busy to sit and talk with a client. “Everyone has stories,” she said. “It’s just a matter of someone taking time to listen to them.

“We need to take the time to look people in the eye and smile,” she said. “You could change someone’s day, or even their life.”

For more information about Shining Star Home Helpers, call 236-8761.