Hello!

I have just discovered this site, and I wanted to share a little about the program I'm working with. In these times, when human services are in jeopardy, it's especially important for neighbors to help each other.

• A woman with severe arthritis needs companionship to the grocery store.
• An elderly woman is worried about falling down her front stairs as she does gardening, and would love for someone to help her out.
• A disabled woman needs help lifting her laundry into the washing machine.

Help with simple tasks like these can make a real difference in someone's life.

Volunteer Chore Services, a program of Catholic Community Services, is a "safety net" for elders and adults living with disabilities who are unable or ineligible for state/paid chore services. All recipients are low-income, have health problems or difficulty with mobility, and most live alone.  A growing volunteer opportunity in your neighborhood consists of driving clients to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or other chores. We carefully match volunteers to opportunities based on their personalities, neighborhood, and preferences.

Background:

In 1981 the Federal Government cut funding from their "service to the homebound" program leaving thousands of people in the Seattle area without the resources needed to remain independent, at home, and connected to their communities. Volunteer Chore Services, a program of Catholic Community Services, is a community based non-profit program born shortly thereafter to try and cope with the need that was created by the lack of government funding.

The Future:

Currently, volunteers are donating over 3000 hours a month in the Seattle area. However, there is still a huge number of people waiting for help, and a shortage of volunteers. Volunteers are needed all over Seattle and South King County, but especially in areas like Beacon Hill.

For more information on how you can help in Beacon Hill, please call Kerrie Carbary, the volunteer coordinator for south of Columbian Way, at 206-328-6858, Jennifer Hopkins, the volunteer coordinator for north of Columbian Way, at 206-328-5656, Volunteer Chore Services main intake line at 206-328-5787, or email kerriec@ccsww.org.

Thank you for being good neighbors!