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ACES, a new volunteer program of the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Inc., is a combination of our former Friendly Visitor and Peer Counseling Programs. It matches volunteers who are interested in becoming active elder companions, with those older adults who express an interest in receiving these services.

The Peer Counselor program, a nationally recognized para-professional approach, is specifically designed for working with older adults struggling with depression, anxiety and loneliness. The Friendly Visitor Program is a ‘lower key’ approach to provide support for older adults who may be isolated and/or have limited contact with their community. ACES is a ‘hybrid’ of both services, and will provide volunteers the training and support to provide appropriate levels of service to the clients as well as a rewarding volunteer experience.

Every new volunteer will be given a handbook which outlines the program and provides basic information about the aging process and your role as an ACES Volunteer. Four times a year, we will have training sessions investigating specific areas of interest or concern, along with open discussion among the volunteers, staff and trainers. We hope to establish a sense of involvement as a team, building relationships that support each other and our clients.


REQUIREMENTS:

• Enjoy working with people, and especially older adults
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Interest in developing a greater understanding of aging issues
• Desire for personal growth
• Ability to empathize with people of differing backgrounds & beliefs
• Commitment to visiting client 2 – 4 times a month
• Commitment to attending the 4 training sessions annually
• Desire to provide service to the aging population

Joan Maxcy
joanm@coabc.org
(828) 277-8288
Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Inc.
46 Sheffield Circle
Asheville, NC 28803