When It Clicks: An Empty Nest Moment
Welcome to "When It Clicks", a new series from me, JoeyCo Founder Alison. I listen to customers every day and hear about 'that moment' for each of them. It comes at different times with different personal circumstances - but each Host has one. It's that moment when JoeyCo just clicks as the right option for them.
I am sharing a series of these moments that I hear about all the time, in the hopes that one might resonate with you. To be transparent and to protect privacy, I wrote these based on the prospective Hosts I talk to, not about one specific person. And please remember, when it clicks for you, I am just a click (or call!) away.
Meet Sarah! Her daughter Rachel just moved to Boston for a dream job, leaving behind an empty room and new possibilities. This is Sarah's JoeyCo story:
Standing in Rachel's old room, I noticed something I hadn't before—potential. Yes, the silence felt strange after 25 years of motherhood, but as I looked at the travel magazines Rachel left behind, I realized: this could be my moment too. The question wasn't just what to do with her empty room—it was what to do with my newfound freedom.
When One Door Opens
The first few weeks after Rachel left, I found myself with time and space I hadn't had in decades. But I also found myself with:
A perfectly good room sitting empty
A long list of postponed travel dreams
Home maintenance tasks I'd rather not handle alone
Evening activities I'd been wanting to try
A desire to keep young energy in the house
My friend Janet suggested turning Rachel's room into a home office. My sister recommended Airbnb. But neither felt quite right—I wanted something that would both fill the space and free me to live life on my own terms.
A Neighbor's Revelation
During my morning walk, I noticed Beth, my neighbor, loading suitcases into her car. "Off to visit the grandkids?" I asked.
"Actually, I'm headed to Italy for three weeks!" she beamed. "With Emma, my Joey, handling everything here, I can finally take those long trips I've always dreamed about. She lives in David's old room, keeps the house running smoothly, and even FaceTimes me to show me how my garden's doing. It's given me such freedom!"
More Than Just a Room
As Beth explained the JoeyCo program, I realized this wasn't just about filling Rachel's room—it was about creating independence for everyone involved. Through their careful matching process, they pair Hosts with university students who share similar interests and values. These Joeys help with:
House oversight during travel
Daily household tasks
Transportation when needed
Tech support and setup
Evening and weekend assistance
In return, they receive affordable housing and earn money helping around the house. It's a partnership that creates freedom for both generations.
Discovering New Freedom
Now, six months later, my home hums with possibility. Sophia, my Joey, is a graduate student in environmental science who brings her own energy to our home while helping me embrace my independence. With her help:
I finally joined that evening book club
My weekend trips don't require complicated planning
The house maintains itself while I travel
I can say "yes" to spontaneous adventures
I have tech support for staying connected with Rachel
The Best of Both Worlds
When Rachel visited for Thanksgiving, she couldn't believe the transformation. "Mom, you seem so free!" she said, watching me plan my upcoming trip to Spain while Sophia handled the dinner dishes. "And I love knowing someone's here making the house feel alive."
That's when it hit me—JoeyCo hadn't just filled an empty room, it had opened up my world. Having Sophia here means I can:
Travel without worry
Maintain my independence
Keep young energy in the house
Help a student afford college
Say "yes" to new opportunities
- - Turn free space into freedom
- - Help a student while helping yourself
- - Keep your home vibrant
- - Live life on your terms
- - Create meaningful connections
Ready to learn more about becoming a Host? Call Alison (me!) at JoeyCo today for a friendly chat about how we can help you transform your empty nest into an opportunity for independence, adventure, and meaningful connection.
