Home Safety Program Volunteer, Spanish and English Speaking

Health Advocates for Older People promotes safe and healthy aging through programs and services designed to support physical well-being and social connection for older adults in New York City. We offer wellness classes, social activities, tech and errand help and home safety services as described below. All services are free of charge.

We are seeking a Spanish (and English) speaking volunteer on an occassional basis to assist with the Home Safety and Fall Prevention Program. Knowing that falls at home can have a major impact for older adults, Health Advocates staff conduct in home consultations to identify safety improvements such as adding grab bars. The staff also conducts home safety presentations for groups of older adults and case workers, and we provide assistive equipment (canes, wheelchairs, shower chairs, etc.). We have recently seen interest from partners in Spanish language home safety presentations and consultations on an occasional basis (two to three presentations and fewer than 10 consultations per year). However, as a small organization, we do not have the capacity to hire an extra staff for this occasional role. To this end, we are looking for a volunteer who can support staff working on this program.

The volunteer responsibilities include:

• Learn about the Home Safety and Fall Prevention Program
• Gain familiarity with the general home safety presentation and the program forms
• Call Spanish speaking older adults as needed to complete intake and outcome assessment forms
• Participate in home safety visits that may be in Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens to translate for staff
• Present the home safety presentation in Spanish alongside English speaking staff

Required Skills are:

• Fluent Spanish and English speaker
• Interest in working with and helping older adults
• Comfort giving presentations and with public speaking
• Ability to communicate clearly via email
• Familarity with Power Point, Word and Excel
• Strong listening and verbal communication skills
• Reliable and dependable
• Access to a computer

The volunteer would be needed on an occasional basis during the M-F work week and regular business day of 9-5. All visits and presentations would be coordinated with the volunteer at mutually convenient times. This role is partly in person (visits and presentations) and partly remote (calls to older adults). Transportation and other expenses will be reimbursed and a stipend may be available.