Neighbors Helping Neighbors

As part of a caring community, one-on-one assistance is a vital and much-needed way to provide support and connection to neighbors in need. Many of the residents we help no longer have family and friends in the area to rely on in times of need.

Friendly Visitors are long-term matches focused primarily on relationship building and socialization, although physical assistance may be a component

Helping Hands volunteers are usually short-term commitments focused on specific cleaning tasks or one-time projects like moving help or building a bookshelf.

Because each recipient’s situation is unique, the activities and time commitments of volunteers vary a great deal.

These projects often aren't glamorous (to say the least) but are crucial for the quality of life for our neighbors and friends. For example, frailty, illness, or a disability (including mental health issues) may result in someone falling behind on essential housekeeping. Residents who are unable to sufficiently clean their apartments and pass their annual housing inspections can be evicted! While we don’t generally provide regular housekeeping services, one-time cleaning assistance to get folks caught up can make a big difference.

Tasks to be performed are identified and agreed upon in advance. Depending on the needs and wishes of the people involved, a Neighbor to Neighbor volunteer might:

  • Visit on a regular basis
  • Help with housekeeping, like sweeping, mopping or laundry
  • Help with grocery shopping, either by taking someone shopping or doing shopping for him or her
  • Help with meal preparation
  • Help with pet care
  • Help with household repairs
  • Help with packing or organizing paperwork
  • Run errands
  • Read aloud to visually impaired people
  • Share activities such as playing chess or working on hobbies
  • Encourage involvement with the larger community by providing information and facilitating attendance
  • Help someone connect to community social service resources
  • Accompany someone on a trip to a doctor's office or other destination