Project Grant 21SCICA006

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGINGNEXT, FORMERLY POMONA VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES IS A NONPROFIT WITH SIX VITAL PROGRAMS SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS IN 16 CITIES. CELEBRATING OVER 46 YEARS OF SERVICE, THE AGENCY'S MISSION STATEMENT IS, "TO SUPPORT AND EDUCATE ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE AND TO AGE WELL AT HOME AND IN THE COMMUNITY." OUR ORGANIZATION MADE NUMEROUS ADAPTATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO INTERACT THROUGH OUR GRANT CYCLE WITH OUR CLIENTS AND VOLUNTEERS BY TELEPHONE, MAIL, AND TECHNOLOGY. ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS OPTIONS SUCH AS ZOOM CHATS, ON-LINE EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT GROUPS HAVE BEEN USED IN COMBINATION TO INCREASE VIRTUAL COMPANIONSHIP AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. AMERICORPS SENIORS SCP PROJECT IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AS IT REPRESENTS EVERY ASPECT OF OUR MISSION. AN ESTIMATED 34 TO 42 AMERICORPS SENIORS SCP VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE THIS PROJECT. OF THIS NUMBER 38, AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. SOME OF THEIR ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE COMPANIONSHIP AND TRANSPORTATION FOR ISOLATED OR HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS. THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE AND CONNECT ISOLATED OR HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS WITH SERVICES NEEDED, ALLEVIATE SOCIAL ISOLATION, HELP TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND PROVIDE TEMPORARY RELIEF TO CAREGIVERS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT, THOSE RECEIVING VOLUNTEER SERVICES ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE INCREASED SOCIALIZATION, DELAYED PLACEMENT AT ASSISTED LIVING SETTINGS, EXPENDED FEWER HEALTH CARE DOLLARS AS A RESULT OF THE DELAYED PLACEMENT, AND REDUCED DEPENDENCE ON FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS. THE AMERICORPS SENIOR COMPANION FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $205,407.00 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $ 223,292.00.