LITA (Love Is The Answer)

Founded in 1975, nonprofit organization LITA (Love is the Answer) is a Marin county that strives to improve the quality of life for older adults living in long-term care facilities and private homes by providing volunteer friends for regular visits and a variety of volunteer programs specifically designed to create meaningful connections. With the steady increase of Marin County's older adult population, LITA's programs to help cultivate mutually enriching social connections through: One-to-One friends Bridging Generations Bridging Thru Music Family Connections Caring Connections Pet Connections Seniors in the Park Technology TuneUp LITA works with and places volunteers primarily in retirement and long-term care licensed communities. Through volunteer recruitment, screening and interviewing, volunteers are assessed for volunteer visiting readiness. Pets are evaluated and assessed for the Pet Connection program based on professional pet agency guidelines. References are a requirement and contacted for volunteering with LITA. Volunteer orientations are scheduled per Director and Volunteer availability. LITA's Director of volunteers provides ongoing and as-needed guidance and support. Some of the County events LITA participates in are the annual Marin County Senior Fair, and CVNL's Volunteer Fair. LITA also partners with the Marin County Parks for 4 "Day in the Park" outings.

LITA connects lonely & isolation through:

• One-to-One Friends
• Bridging Generations
• Bridging Thru Music & the Arts
• Family Connections
• Caring Connections
• Pet Connections
• Memory Care Buddies
• Seniors in the Park

Pre & Post Pandemic: LITA works with and places volunteers in retirement and long-term care licensed communities. Through volunteer recruitment, screening and interviewing, volunteers are assessed for volunteer visiting readiness. Pets are evaluated and assessed for the Pet Connection program based on professional pet agency guidelines.

Requirements to Volunteer:

• Background Check
• References
• Orientation
• Official ID or driver's license
• COVID Vaccine & Booster card

Other Events:

• Brown bag lunch & learns
• Memory Care Buddies workshops
• Volunteer celebration events
• Marin Senior Fair
• CVNL's Volunteer Fair

Partnerships:

• Vivalon
• Visit.org
• Muttville Senior Dog Rescue