Make a Difference by Volunteering
Any time you can contribute volunteering can mean so much to someone who is homebound and isolated. The personal rewards of volunteering can also make a surprising difference in your life. In fact, volunteering can actually be good for your health – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Friends for Seniors Volunteer Program
Being a friend is a powerful act of caring, but it can also be a simple act. Volunteers can make a difference in the lives of these individuals by visiting those who live alone and providing friendly companionship and social contact with the community – from providing reading assistance and letter writing, to enjoying a casual conversation, playing games and puzzles, or taking a leisurely walk. All it takes is the desire to give your available time. We invite individuals who want to learn more about Friends for Seniors to call or make an appointment.
For more information, please contact Blanca Ceballos at (305) 716-0736 or bceballos@unitedhomecare.com.
Other opportunities available
AVUS Connect®: Intergenerational volunteer program for high school and college or university students to prevent loneliness, depression, and isolation among older adults. Learn more and apply to join: AVUS Connect’s website
AVUS Tech Pals®: Special program to help seniors setup and learn how to use computer tablets. Initial setup will be in the clients’ homes and educational support after will be via video chat.* Apply to volunteer: AVUS Connect‘s website
Telephone Contact: A friendly phone call to a homebound older adult can make his or her day by showing that someone else cares. This is especially true during holidays, birthdays or other special occasions. It also can contribute to a client’s continued health. You may choose to call one client or as many as you desire.
Grocery Shopping: A simple trip to the supermarket to pick up and deliver groceries can help a homebound older adult maintain good nutrition, especially when such basic tasks become difficult for them because of chronic conditions or transportation obstacles.*
Chores/Housekeeping: Sometimes the homebound need a little extra help around their house. Your help may be as little as replacing a light bulb or dusting. Your time commitment can be as little as one hour per visit or as many as you desire to give.*
Repairs: Are you handy with a hammer or screwdriver? Make someone’s life a little easier by doing small repairs around their home. Your time commitment can be three hours or more.*
United HomeCare® Office Assistance: We always need people willing to provide general administrative support. Your help goes a long way. We have offices in Doral and Plantation.*
Special Programs and Projects (holiday baskets, special events, etc.): We periodically conduct special projects to make the lives of homebound older adults more pleasant. For example, each Thanksgiving we prepare and deliver hundreds of Thanksgiving baskets to grateful homebound adults in the Miami-Dade area. We need YOU to make these important projects happen. Your time commitment can be as little as three hours.*
Special projects are ideal for schools and businesses that want to make a difference as an organization, contact us for group volunteer information at (305) 716-0736. We can even customize a volunteer program tailored to your business, school or organization.
*By Florida and Federal law, certain volunteer opportunities require a background check.
Volunteers must complete a volunteer application, agree to a background check (where applicable), and attend a two-hour training session. In most cases, volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.