Organization Details:
[View Volunteer Opportunities
]Visiting Neighbors' volunteers help older adults alleviate loneliness and isolation, provide mental stimulation and emotional security, and encourage physical independence. VN champions the power of the volunteer, bringing generations together to share life experiences and gain respect for each individual's uniqueness. VN promotes a positive acceptance of life after sixty and the value of the elder in society.
Description and/or History:
Visiting Neighbors is a lifeline! Loneliness can be a person's worst enemy, especially if you're elderly and unable to leave your apartment. Without someone to talk to, it's easy to become depressed...even physically ill. You lose interest in the outside world, and live in isolation and despair. It's easy to feel as if no one cares. Visiting Neighbors' dedicated volunteers give seniors a reason to keep going, a trusted new friend to share their lives and memories with, someone they can count on. Volunteers, who are carefully screened and trained, enjoy the opportunity to share their own unique interests with the seniors , and gain great pleasure from seeing the difference they make in someone's life. VN's programs are more than just welcome amenities. For many seniors, they're a lifeline that makes it possible to remain independent, living in their own apartments, rather than being forced into nursing homes. As one longtime volunteer says - VN serves the heart!"
Back in 1972, eight Greenwich Village residents created a neighborhood service based on a simple concept: "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." With their friendship, they encouraged seniors to remain independent, provided encouragement, and let the elderly know that their community cared. The idea caught on, and now more than 450 VN volunteers help 700 clients each year, advocating for them when help is needed, and providing assistance, enabling them to maintain their pride and dignity. VN's programs serve seniors in Greenwich Village, NoHo, SoHo, the East Village, Chelsea, Gramercy/Stuyvesant and the Forest Hills/Rego Park communities.
Contact person: Howie Square, Director Of Volunteer Resources, (212) 260-6200, (email)
Office fax number: (212) 260-2962
Address:
 |
611 Broadway Suite 510 New York, NY 10012 (See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.VisitingNeighbors.org
Directions:
|
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Broadway Lafayette Street, Walk distance (in minutes): 1 |
| Last updated on January 13, 2010 |
Volunteer Reflections Post Your Own!
Overall Experience
i love it.
posted on August 11, 2005
Overall Experience
Mutually Rewarding
I moved here almost a year ago, from a small town in South Jersey. I have always been very involved with different organizations and wanted to find one in NYC that I could use my talents to help, as well as one that had a program that I believed deeply in. I found that in Visiting Neighbors. I particpate in their program called, "Friendly Visitors". It matches a volunteer with a senior who has expressed an interest in meeting a new person to share their time with. I was able to give back to the generation of Americans that have given my generation and this country so much, but often get lost in the crowd. They are the least vocal group, and ofter don't get viewed as the incredible individuals who can teach and share with us so much. My senior and I were matched based on common interests, and although the age difference is vast (almost 65 years) we found that we have a lot in common-the main things being the ability to share, and to laugh. Ms. L and I talked about our familes, politics, where we went to school, our likes and our dislikes and so much more on our first visit. I brought her roses, and although blind, she stated that they were beautiful. Visiting Neighbors allows me to make a friend I normally wouldn't have the opportunity to even meet. I make my own schedule of when I see Ms. L, which is nice, because I can talk or see her as much as I like!
Another great thing about this organization is that if you cannot commit time to being a vistor to a senior, you can volunteer to work in the office, take a senior shopping during the day, or to a doctor's appointment, or volunteer for the upcoming Elfing program, where volunteer's wrap and deliver holiday gifts.
The time that I spend with her is more valuable to me than anything else that I could possibly be doing, because she looks forward to my call, and my visit so much. It feels great to know that just by taking some time out of my often corporate crazed life, I can bring a smile to someone's face who has given so much to this city that I've grown to love, and who gives me so much just by her smile and her hugs.
posted by mbryzek on October 21, 2004
| Organization Info | |
Description 
|
|
|
Add to Favorites
|
|
|
Add Reflection
|
|
|
Email to Friend
|
|
|
Printer Version
|
|
|
Opportunities
|
|
|
Notify Administrator |
|
|
Inappropriate
|
|
|
Miscategorized
|
|
|
Other Concern
|
|
Volunteer now.
