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Applied in 2008

Aid For Friends

Aid For Friends

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 13
  • Program Participants Last Year: 2113
  • Meets about 4 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 96 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 16000

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Has formally approved a conflict of interest policy and regularly monitors it to ensure adherence.
  • Receives, at least quarterly, the organization's financial statement.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.
  • Convenes an audit committee.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
A modified version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)survey is used. Initial results of this survey showed that our program reduced depression in 51% of our participants.

Measure
A modified version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)survey is used.

115 new"client/friends" over age 60 were surveyed for depression when they enrolled in our program. In addition to their weekly visit, they received a phone call once per week. They continue to receive the survey every 6 months to see if there scores change.

Outcome 2
The Client Satfisfaction Surveys showed that our "client/friends" satisfaction with the meals was very high. Eighty-nine percent rated the meal as good. 57% rated the meal as the most important benefit. Three percent rated the visit as most important although 87% said that they enjoyed the visit very much. Only 1% said they could live independently without Aid For Friends.

Measure
Over the past few fiscal years, Client Satfisfaction Surveys were conducted.

Outcome 3
On initial visits, 35% of our homes passed the safety audit. After distributing and installing safety equipment 69% or the homes passed.

Measure
Safety audits are done in the homes of the "client/friends" by our volunteer visitors.

Change Process: (self-reported)

In 34 years, Aid For Friends has delivered more than 12 million free meals to almost 12,000 homebound individuals. Volunteer visitors have logged more than 1.5 millions hour of providing compassionate support to those individuals who are unable to leave their homes. Presently there are approximate 2,000 visitor volunteers and 14,000 cook volunteers. The vast majority of these volunteers were recruited at church services and volunteer as an expression of their religious beliefs. We produce approximately 450,000 meals each year and have a network of 275 freezer sites, mostly in religious organizations.

People who are frail and old or disabled will have delicious and nutriious home cooked meals. The meals serve as a basis for a caring community where people who were hungry, isolated and friendless are fed and have friends. Homebound people are able to stay in their homes and are not sent to very expensive nursing homes. Many people are provided with very meaningful volunteering opportunities, taxpayers save millions of dollars, and our homebound "client/friends" are healthy and happy.