The Senior Companion Program provides a way for people 55 and over, whose incomes are limited, to provide assistance and friendship to adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks, such as grocery shopping and bill paying. Senior Companions spend 20-40 hours a week helping an average of two to four adult clients live independently in their own homes. Senior Companions receive monthly training; provide relief to caregivers, and alert doctors and family members to potential problems. In one year some 15,500 Senior Companions tended to the needs of more than 61,000 adults. Senior Companions who meet the income requirement receive a small tax-free stipend for their service.
The Senior Volunteer Programs (SVP) oversees the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), and the Senior Companion Program (SCP). Located at the Alamo Senior Center, SVP coordinates over 300 volunteers in positions around Otero County.
Our volunteers are able to choose from a variety of workplaces in Otero County. Volunteers can also select their days and hours to serve. Our volunteers donated well over 121,000 hours last year alone providing Otero County over $1 million in budget savings.
We appreciate our volunteers. We invite you to stop by and see how you can become a part of this robust team.