Project Grant 19SCAMA002

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC 35 MT. CARMEL STREET, CHICOPEE, MA THE VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL (VOC) IS THE FEDERALLY DESIGNATED COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY FOR THE CITIES OF CHICOPEE, HOLYOKE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. VOC IS DEDICATED TO ELIMINATING POVERTY BY PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS IN THE GREATER HAMPDEN COUNTY AREA TO ACHIEVE GREATER INDEPENDENCE AND A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE. VOC HAS SPONSORED THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM (SCP) SINCE 1988. THE SCP SERVES CHICOPEE, HOLYOKE AND HOLLAND WITHIN HAMPDEN COUNTY. VOC IS PROPOSING TO PROVIDE VOLUNTEERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR 26 SENIOR COMPANIONS DURING THE GRANT TIMEFRAME OF 7/1/2019 ? 6/30/1922. THE FUNDING REQUEST IS $158,544. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES ? AGING IN PLACE: COMPANIONSHIP AND RESPITE SERVICES. TWENTY-THREE SENIOR COMPANIONS WILL SERVE APPROXIMATELY 155 FRAIL OLDER ADULTS AGING IN PLACE WHO WITHOUT ASSISTANCE WOULD BE AT RISK OF NOT BEING ABLE REMAIN LIVING AT HOME. SERVICE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE COMPANIONSHIP, FRIENDLY VISITS, DOING CRAFTS, PLAYING CARDS, TRANSPORTATION TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, TRANSPORTATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH GROCERY SHOPPING AND OTHER ERRANDS. ANTICIPATED RESULTS INCLUDE DECREASED ISOLATION AND LONELINESS AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE. THREE SENIOR COMPANIONS WILL PROVIDE RESPITE SERVICES TO 20 INFORMAL CAREGIVERS IN NEED OF BREAKS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN NEEDS. ANTICIPATED RESULT IS IMPROVED HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.