Friendly Visiting Volunteer

Neighborhood Self Help by Older Persons Projects (SHOPP) is a multi-service, innovative non-profit agency that supports older adults, caregivers, and the disabled by keeping them safe, engaged, informed, and supported. Neighborhood SHOPP has been a leader in the Bronx, supporting seniors, families, and the surrounding communities for over 40 years. As a strength-based organization, SHOPP believes in the philosophy of self-help and mutual assistance, which is translated into the following critical programs for the Bronx community: CCNP (Community Care Network Program), 4 Older Adult Centers (Casa Boricua, Leon, Soundview, and Guess), NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities), Case Management with Friendly Visiting, Elder Justice, Caregiver Support Program, and NY Connects.

NSHOPP: Friendly Visiting Program Description:

Overview:

Friendly Visiting is a program that matches homebound seniors within our Case Management Program with volunteers who make regular visits in seniors’ homes. The Friendly Visiting Program helps relieve social isolation and loneliness experienced by many seniors and provides ongoing companionship for both the senior and volunteer. The Friendly Visitor Volunteer Coordinator and Case Manager within the Case Management Program work closely together to identify seniors that may benefit from a Friendly Visitor Volunteer.

The volunteer will engage the senior in stimulating activities such as puzzles, reading books together, listen to music, crocheting, arts, visit a park and other types of invigorating and engaging activities that improves the social health of an isolated older adult. The goal is to help reduce isolation and provide companionship.

When:

Volunteers are recruited all year round.

Where:

Volunteers & Older Adults decide between home visits, phone calls, and /or virtual calls

Commitment:

• All volunteers must be 18 and older and must be willing to make a 6month friendly visiting commitment, with a goal of a weekly 15 min –1 hour visit or phone call.

Qualifications:

To maintain the safety of our senior clients, all interested Volunteers must meet stringent requirements to be a Friendly Visitor Volunteer that includes:

• An initial screening process -telephone interview,
• Submission of volunteer application,
• Criminal background check
• Two Reference Checks
• Volunteer Commitment Agreement
• Onboarding Training Virtual or In Person
• On-going Training & Retention Workshops
• Bi-monthly check-ins with the Volunteer Service Manager

Benefits:

Friendly visiting programs are important to help relieve the social isolation experienced by many older adults. Friendly visiting is also an enriching experience for volunteers. Many relationships are sustained over a number of years and can provide ongoing companionship for both older adult and volunteers. The program provides:

• a mutually rewarding relationship with an older adult
• a chance to hone interpersonal skills like listening, sharing, expressing compassion, and empathy;
• new experiences and new interests;
• a concrete knowledge of culture and history;
• increased sensitivity to the needs of seniors; and
• a better attitude toward their own aging relatives as they gain a realistic perspective of both the needs and strengths of older adults.