EVERETT — On Oct. 28, the Carl Gipson Center hosted Mary Ann Higgins and Kerry Mazengia, program coordinators with AmeriCorps Seniors through Homage, a nonprofit that helps seniors in Snohomish and King County.
The Homage Senior Companion Program allows volunteers who are over 55 and low-income to support older adults in their communities. Volunteers would not be caregivers, but monthly visitors to older individuals who feel isolated and would like more company and conversation. Volunteers would have to commit to at least one year of volunteering and must be available eight hours per week.
“It is like a friend coming over to visit,” said Higgins, who has coordinated the companion program since 2016.
Aside from developing new friendships, another benefit of being a volunteer for this program is that volunteers would receive a hourly tax-free stipend of $4 per hour, as well as mileage reimbursement.
“It made me think about my parents, that may be something good for them,” said Beckie Gruhn. “My mom for receiving companion support, my dad for being a companion support.” Gruhn is a one-to-one parent educator with the GOAL Program at the center who attended the talk.
To start the process of becoming a volunteer, Higgins can be contacted at mhiggins@homage.org.
The companion program is very similar to another AmeriCorps Seniors program called the Retired & Seniors Volunteer Program or RSVP program. RSVP Seniors is managed by the Catholic Community Services of Western Washington. RSVP volunteers, who are older than 55, are able to put their skills to use by working with nonprofit agencies throughout Snohomish County, including the Red Cross. The services range from helping children with math and reading, helping out at food banks and senior centers and working with police and fire departments.
According to Paulette Jacobson, the director of RSVP, more than 60 volunteers have received the Presidents Volunteer Service Award for volunteering for 4,000 hours. One of the unique aspects of RSVP is the variety of places and tasks available to volunteers.
“When people come in, I can go over 55 places, and 250 jobs that they can choose from,” Jacobson said. To get more information on the application process, Jacobson can be contacted at 425-374-6311.
Although the requirements for the programs are similar, the Foster Grandparent Program allows senior adults to provide one-on-one support to children. Seniors can come into schools as “grandparents” to children and help children with their schoolwork. The program has been active in Washington for more than 50 years, but saw a decrease of volunteers after schools shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mazengia said five elementary schools in Everett are interested in the program, but there are no volunteers available.
“We currently have 11 volunteers, and we have room for 31,” Mazengia said.
To volunteer for the Foster Grandparent Program, contact Mazengia at fostergrandparents@homage.org to receive an application and start the process.
“I had never heard of the grandparent program, I think that’s awesome,” said Gruhn. “Working in the school district, we can use all the help we can get.”
