Volunteer Opportunities
Brown Bag Food Program – In collaboration with Gr. Boston Food Bank, over 1000 free bags of food are assembled for distribution and pick up for low income elders and disabled individuals. Distribution site for individual pick up is first Tuesday in Haverhill and new group pick up site in Lawrence on third Tuesday. Volunteers are needed each month for set up, filling grocery bags, carrying bags to waiting cars, clean up.
Drivers -Transport older adults to appointments as needed. Volunteers receive additional liability insurance with mileage reimbursement. Flexible schedule. Drive when it is convenient for you.
Friends in Deed - Assist older adults in a variety of ways like driving to medical appointments, companionship, food shopping, errands and outings to increase socialization.
Health Benefits Counselors - Provide unbiased and confidential information to help Medicare beneficiaries understand Medicare insurance benefits and other public and private health insurance options. Initial training of 35 hours required for certification plus on-going training. Time commitment after certification is a minimum of 2-4 hours/week.
LACE (Learning About Computers Everyday Instructors - Provide hands-on personal computer instruction for adults age 55 and older in a state-of-the-art computer training center. A familiarity with hardware and software with basic word processing is required. Volunteers contribute 2-4 hours weekly.
Money Managers - Volunteers are trained, bonded and matched with an elder to offer help with basic money management skills, such as balancing a check book, budgeting and routine bill paying. A one year commitment of about 4 hours monthly is requested. Money Management is part of the AARP Foundation, AARP’s affiliated charity.
Medical Advocates -These volunteers agree to drive and accompany elders to doctor appointments, treatment or other medical events and act as an advocate and/or surrogate family member for that elder. The volunteer role is to coach, support and empower elders to take charge of their health care during visits and treatments, assist in asking the appropriate questions, record information from the physician and report to caregivers as requested.
Nursing Home Ombudsman - Volunteers help to protect the rights of nursing home residents. Trained and certified volunteers visit nursing homes on a regular basis to help resolve issues on the resident’s behalf. A commitment of one year includes three days of training, monthly supervision and the actual time needed to make facility visits
Special Events - Volunteers help Elder Services engage new and different audiences throughout the Merrimack Valley by working with our Development staff on a variety of different projects including special events, public relations, marketing, community education, and fundraising efforts of the organization.
Please call us at (978) 683-7747 for more information or email us at volunteer@esmv.org.