Volunteers Need for Community Outreach Program
SUNBURY – Social isolation for the people 50 and older has increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic but the Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA’s Friendly Neighbors program will try to help.
The Y staff members in Sunbury, Mifflinburg, Lewisburg, and Milton pay close attention to people they have not seen in a while and are determined to re-connect with these people. They teamed up with Geisinger to create the Friendly Neighbors program to aid people 50 and older in establishing positive social connection.
Angela Haines, Director of the Mifflinburg YMCA Center tells us what volunteers for the program will do, “Befriending the person, also trying to find ways to connect that person in the community.”
“For example, maybe connect them to a Silver Sneakers class at a local YMCA or some of the educational programs. Or maybe they discover they are food insecure and they can connect them to a local food pantry. They just trying to help find resources and making more connections for them,” she said.
Volunteers can interact with people via telephone, Zoom, or in-person, once a week for the first month or two, then about once or twice a month as time progresses and the acquaintance is established.
“The YMCA, we are all about community. You know, we’re a family so we’re always thinking of our members and trying to make sure that they’re having their needs met, that they are thriving in body, spirit, and mind,” said Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA’s Communications Coordinator, Kimberly Wilkerson on the community oriented atmosphere at the YMCAs.
More information on the WKOK podcast page or you can download the interview on Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you download your podcasts.
