Lifeline, Inc. has announced the launch of its new Helping Hands for Seniors Program, in partnership with the Lake County Volunteer Network and the Lake Geauga Fund of the Cleveland Foundation.
The program matches eligible Lake County residents aged 60 and over, and who reside independently in the community, with vetted volunteers who will assist them with daily activities that are essential for their health and safety.
Services can include minor repairs and handy-person tasks that do not rise to the level of a contractor; outside maintenance including weekly trash removal, mailbox runs, and yard maintenance; errands including helping to set up grocery delivery and mobile food bank pickups; technology services including assistance with basic phone, internet and computer/tablet issues; and in home services including basic organization, pet care assistance and laundry assistance. Additional services may be considered based on volunteer availability.
“For so many years, we have gotten calls at our 211 hotline from seniors who are in need of these types of assistance in order to maintain their self-sufficiency in their own homes and there’s never been anywhere to provide referrals to,” said Lifeline executive director Carrie Dotson, “When we saw that the Cleveland Foundation’s Lake Geauga Fund was interested in funding initiatives to help seniors maintain their independence, it seemed like a perfect match for this program. We’re excited to partner with the Lake County Volunteer Network and to really make an impact on Lake County’s senior population.”
Senior citizens in need of assistance can contact Lifeline program coordinator Andrea Johnson at 440-354-2148 ext. 207 or andreaj@lclifeline.org to see if they qualify and apply for volunteer assistance. Program participants will have to meet financial and residency criteria.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Cristen Kane at 440-350-5360.
“Connecting senior volunteers to assist with tasks to keep seniors who need assistance to remain independent is an area the Lake County Volunteer Network is excited to venture into,” said Cristen Kane. “Senior volunteers will be matched with tasks they are willing to do and the distance they are willing to travel. Volunteers are emailed when new tasks are posted and can pick and choose tasks according to their availability.”
Lifeline for the Empowerment and Development of Consumers was founded in 1973 with the mission of helping Lake County residents by providing them assistance and life skills programming that is designed to increase self-sufficiency. In 1980 Lifeline became a participating agency of the United Way of Lake County, UWLC, and in 1987 was designated a community action agency by the Ohio Department of Development, ODOD. In 2008, Lifeline was designated as a mental health agency by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Lifeline received interim designation as Geauga County’s community action agency in 2020.
Today Lifeline continues with the same mission of helping Lake County’s low-income residents break the cycle of poverty and make the transition from agency-dependency to self-sufficiency. Lifeline’s current programming includes services in the healthcare, housing & energy assistance, information & referral services, guardianship, and consumer education & job training areas. Our motto is ‘helping people, changing lives.’ Lifeline is currently funded by the UWLC and by grants through the ODOD, the Lake County Board of Commissioners, the Lake County ADAMHS Board, Lake County Department of Job & Family Services, the City of Mentor, the Western Reserve Junior Service League, the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities and through private donors.