Find a Non-Profit: Browse By: Award Winners | Excellent Non-Profits | All Programs
Applied in 2006

The HELP Program

Advocates for Aging Inc.

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 1
  • Program Participants Last Year: 45
  • Meets about 0 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 2 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 25

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Receives information about the financial arrangements with such firms and, if applicable, the anticipated portion of the gross proceeds that goes to the organization.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
Grocery shopping

Measure
Activity report by the volunteer

Outcome 2
Prescription pick-up

Measure
Activity report by the volunteer

Outcome 3
Errand service

Measure
Activity report by the volunteer

Outcome 4
Visitation

Measure
Activity report by the volunteer

Outcome 5
Chore service

Measure
Activity report by the volunteer

Change Process: (self-reported)

The HELP Program has been in existence since 1995 in Putnam County, Tennessee. This program has enabled elderly and disabled individuals to be able to remain in their own homes and remain independent for a longer period of time.

Over the past eleven years when an individual was asked "how has this program benefitted you" the answer most always was the same, " I wouldn't have been able to stay at home if not for the services that the program provided".

Each year more and more individuals in the Upper Cumberland region become isolated and alone, and it's primarily due to children of aging parents having to work long hours, and having other responsibilities of their own. Many of these frail elderly and disabled individuals live in rural counties, and are living below poverty level.

The HELP Program has served many different purposes, but one of the most important is that this program has placed caring volunteers in the homes of at-risk seniors who otherwise would not be visited. Some of these individuals have stated that the volunteer was the only person that came to see them for days, of even weeks.