Volunteers are key to the mission and success of the
Payne-Phalen Living at Home/Block Nurse Program.
We have great volunteers. They have the opportunity to meet fun people. They help make the East Side a better place for all of us to live.
Because what we do is different nearly every day, we have a variety of volunteer opportunities available. We know time is one of your most precious commodities so we design your experience around the time you have available whether it's an hour a month, a few hours a week or every once in awhile.
It is not about what neighborhood you live in, rather how you treat your neighbor.
There are several types of volunteer positions:
Friendly Visitors/Callers
Volunteers are individuals who help neighborhood seniors maintain their independence by generously giving of their time in a variety of ways. The volunteer is assigned and supervised by the Manager of Volunteer Services. They attend an orientation and receive training as needed. The volunteer completes appropriate paperwork including a background check. The volunteer and Manager of Volunteer Services agree on the type of volunteering. The volunteer may be matched with a specific elder on a regular basis or may be an occasional volunteer on an as needed basis. State law requires automobile owners’ liability insurance. Liability coverage is provided for all volunteers.
Types of Volunteers
Driver: What matters is not the kind of car you drive. What matters is that you drive someone to the doctor or to get groceries.The Volunteer Driver provides a safe vehicle and rides for the elders to and from appointments for health services, social services or activities or shopping. The volunteer driver assures that the elder is safely transported and delivered from the pick up sight to the appointment, into or out of the building. The volunteer may or may not be asked to provide a round trip for the elder. Drivers must be at least 18 years of age, provide documentation of a valid driving license and insurance verification.
Respite Caregivers: A Respite Caregiver provides the primary care giver with a break in care giving for any length of time from an hour to a day or overnight. Respite Caregivers require more intensive training and must be willing to commit to on going training.
Chore Person:
Light Housekeeping: The volunteer provides light household duties as requested by an elder or caregiver which may include cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, tidying, laundry etc. The senior furnishes cleaning supplies.
Meal Preparation: The volunteer prepares meals for an elder either at the elder's home or their own home. The elder may or may not supply ingredients.
Yard Work: The volunteer performs light yard maintenance like mowing, raking leaves, spring or fall clean up.
Special Projects Volunteers: A Special Projects Volunteer is available for part of or the duration of a special project which may include an educational partnership, seasonal events, translating, offering an informative or educational class in an area in which the volunteer has some expertise, assisting staff or organizing a social event.
Governance Volunteers: A Governance Volunteer serves on the Board of Directors attending monthly meetings and networking in the community, supporting the program with fundraising and by attending community functions when possible.
Administrative Volunteers: An Administrative Volunteer may serve on a committee, assist in the office, be involved in promoting the LAH/BNP, or assist with mailings.
