Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Neighbor to Neighbor program?
The Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) program was developed in response to a Senior Needs Assessment that was commissioned by the members and pastors of several Lutheran congregations in Fairfield County in partnership with Lutheran Social Services. This assessment led to four recommendations based upon the findings:
A) Volunteer Support Services
B) Case Management Services
C) Resource Inventory
D) Seminar Speaker Series
A Senior Resource Manual has been compiled and distributed, the first educational seminar has been scheduled, and the Neighbor to Neighbor program provides volunteer support services for seniors and disabled adults.
2. What do N2N volunteers do?
Volunteers can perform a wide variety of tasks that help seniors and disabled community members stay safely and comfortably in their own homes. Our volunteers select the areas in which they would be able to provide assistance and they are matched with people in need of that assistance. Areas of assistance may include:
A) providing transportation to medical appointments or to church
B) assistance with grocery shopping or meal preparation
C) help with medical or insurance forms
D) picking up medications from the pharmacy
E) providing companionship and recreational outings
3. What is the application process for volunteering?
Persons interested in volunteering complete a brief survey that identifies the volunteer activities that you are interested in, and the days and times that you are available to volunteer for the N2N program. Once this survey is submitted to the Volunteer Coordinator, you will receive a Volunteer Application that must be completed and sent back to the Volunteer Coordination. This application includes a release/authorization for background checks, including drivers’ license checks. These are the same background checks that all Lutheran Social Services employees must undergo prior to working with the agency.
4. What is the age minimum required to be a volunteer?
Volunteers must be a minimum of eighteen years old to work one on one with a Neighbor to Neighbor client. Younger volunteers may participate in group projects.
5. Do I need to go through the application process and background check if I am volunteering for a group project?
No; volunteers who work on group projects do not have to go through the regular application process or background checks.
6. What type of training do volunteers receive?
Volunteers attend a four-hour volunteer orientation that includes an overview of Lutheran Social Services of New England and the Neighbor to Neighbor program. During this orientation you will also receive training in the following areas:
A) Program Policies and Procedures, including confidentiality and HIPPA
B) Your Role as a Care Giver
C) Site and Home Safety
D) Abuse Detection and Prevention
E) Working with a Client with Dementia
Additional training and resources are available to volunteers on an ongoing, as needed basis.
7. How many hours a week/month must I commit? And for what length of time must I commit?
The number of hours worked and the length of the commitment will vary from volunteer to volunteer. Each volunteer will be able to decide how many or how few hours they want to commit. We hope that volunteers will remain with the program for an extended period of time, but we understand that circumstances can change and may prevent this from happening.
8. Do I need special insurance coverage to volunteer?
No. Lutheran Social Services carries general and professional liability coverage that applies to volunteers as well as employees of the agency.
9. Is there a cost for me to volunteer?
If you choose to provide transportation as one of your selected activities, you will bear the cost of the gasoline. (You may want to check with your tax professional and track your mileage, as you may receive a tax deduction for miles driven in service of charitable organizations.) There are no other costs involved.
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