Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Volunteer Application

Thank you for your interest in joining the Senior Companion and/or Foster Grandparent Program at Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA).

Volunteer Service Position – Senior Companion Volunteer

Purpose: Senior Companions help isolated and disabled seniors stay independent in their own homes. They provide companionship, assist with transportation, errands, and other (non-personal care) activities based on client need. This program is funded through a federal grant from the Corporation for National Community Service.

Position: Senior Companion Volunteer

Location: Client homes and/or other community locations in Lake, Porter and/or LaPorte Counties.

Key Responsibilities: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Visit clients on a regular basis and establish meaningful relationships.
  • Communicate changes in client’s well-being and contact information to the Site Supervisor or Program Coordinator.
  • Attend monthly volunteer training meetings.
  • Complete program paperwork accurately and turn forms in on time.
  • Maintain client and client’s family confidentiality.
  • Follow guidelines on mandatory reporting according to Indiana State law.
  • Follow the policies of NWICA and CNCS Senior Corps Programs.

Knowledge or Skills Preferred:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Dependable and reliable
  • Ability to follow deadlines, instructions and fill out forms accurately.

Qualifications:

  • At least 55 years of age and able to pass a fingerprinting and criminal background check.
  • Meet low income eligibility requirement.

Ergonomic Requirements: Must be healthy enough to serve clients safely.
Length of Appointment: Commitment of at least 12 months. Eligibility to be renewed by the program coordinator on an annual basis pending positive reviews and updated background checks.

Time Commitment: Requires 8 – 40 hours a week with clients that includes a 2.5 hours monthly meeting. Volunteers must successfully pass background checks, and a 20 hour orientation before service begins.

Reports To: Volunteer Station site-supervisor and/or Program Coordinator

Support Provided: Initial orientation; monthly meetings; and on-going support by program staff during agency hours.


Volunteer Service Position – Foster Grandparent Volunteer

Purpose: Foster Grandparents serve children with special or exceptional needs. Foster Grandparent volunteers serve 5 – 40 hours per week, tutoring or mentoring children to improve their intellectual thinking, social/emotional, motor and/or language development skills.

Position: Foster Grandparent Volunteer

Location: Community locations in Lake, Porter and/or LaPorte Counties.
Key Responsibilities: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Helping children with intellectual thinking
  • Helping children with social/emotional skills
  • Helping children with motor skills
  • Helping children with language development skills

Knowledge or Skills Preferred:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Dependable and reliable
  • Ability to follow deadlines, instructions and fill out forms accurately.

Qualifications:

  • At least 55 years of age and able to pass a fingerprinting and criminal background check.
  • Meet low income eligibility requirement.

Ergonomic Requirements: Must be healthy enough to serve clients safely.
Length of Appointment: Commitment of at least 12 months. Eligibility to be renewed by the program coordinator on an annual basis pending positive reviews and updated background checks.

Time Commitment: Requires 8 – 40 hours a week with clients that includes a 2.5 hours monthly meeting. Volunteers must successfully pass background checks, and a 20 hour orientation before service begins.

Reports To: Volunteer Station site-supervisor and/or Program Coordinator

Support Provided: Initial orientation; monthly meetings; and on-going support by program staff during agency hours.

Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Volunteer Application