Local senior programs join forces

By PAMELA BRUST
PARKERSBURG — The Foster Grandparent, Senior Companions and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program have joined forces to form an umbrella advisory council to raise awareness of their nonprofit groups in the community, save money and make for a more collaborative effort.

All three agencies, which receive federal funding as well some local grant money and funding provided by the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, are under the sponsorship of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council. All have offices in the MOVRC’s Market Street headquarters. Until recently all three had their own advisory councils.

Elaine Avery, project director for RSVP, said they are hopeful the newly established council will help them to better assess community needs, advise on volunteer recruitment strategies, link the agencies with other community service groups, assist in developing additional funding sources, and look at ways to help seniors in the community. The newly formed council, which had its first meeting this week, is made up of local business and community leaders as well as individuals from various programs, and volunteer organizations throughout the counties served through the three programs.

Senior Corps is a network of programs that tap the experience, skills and talents of older citizens to meet community needs. Through the three groups, nationwide, more than half a million Americans ages 55 and over assist local nonprofits, public agencies and faith-based organizations in carrying out their missions.

“Sometimes people just don’t understand what Senior Corps is,” Avery said. “That will be one of the missions of the council to help raise awareness of the programs.”

“Our attempt is to bring people who have been with the programs, as a volunteer, volunteer site, and people of the community together to develop this council for all three programs. Prior to this time, we’ve each had our own councils, but we’ve never had a joint one,” said Rod Poling, Senior Companion project director.

“I think we are the only place in the state where the sponsor has all three programs under one roof,” Avery said. “Since we all need a council, this is an opportunity to bring together people from many counties. I think this effort benefits the volunteers, and the programs and will help us save money by combining some of our efforts, like volunteer recognition,” Avery said.

“The collaborative effort will also help put more of a voice in the community about our programs, it will help us with community and resource development and evaluation,” Poling said.

The Foster Grandparent Program covers Calhoun, Jackson, Marshall, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties. Through the program, low income, ages 60 and older help children. The grandparents serve 20 hours weekly at day care centers, Head Start programs, public schools, afterschool programs, summer reading programs, library programs and the Energy Express summer program. They are reimbursed for mileage and receive a hot meal at the volunteer site.

In 2007, 97 grandparents served children accumulating 97,092 service hours. Stipends totaling $257,294 were paid to local foster grandparents during 2007, according to Janet Somerville, Foster Grandparent program director.

RSVP provides volunteer opportunities for adults 55 and over, placing volunteers in other nonprofits. The volunteers are provided with supplemental insurance coverage. This program serves Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties. Wood County has 96 volunteers who work with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Consumer Credit Counseling, West Virginia Welcome Center, Senior Stitchers, Vienna quilters, FaithLink, Volunteer Action Center, Wood County Senior Citizens Center, assist with tax preparation, and help at VanDevender Junior High School and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Senior Companions gives adults support to help them remain in their own homes. The volunteers help with grocery shopping, answering mail, driving to doctor’s appointments or other daily tasks, and can provide short periods of relief to primary caregivers. Companions are over 60. They can volunteer 20 hours weekly. They receive training, an annual exam, supplemental insurance, help with meal and transportation costs, and a small stipend for those who qualify. This program covers Pleasants, Wood, Ritchie, Doddridge, Harrison, Taylor, Preston, Monongalia, Cabell and McDowell counties.