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VMC Programs
VMC mobilizes people and resources to deliver creative solutions to community problems through:
Volunteering – VMC connects people who care with community organizations in need of volunteers
Friendship at Heart – Our Telephone Reassurance, Friendly Visitor, and Phone Friends programs provide companionship for seniors or disabled persons
Youth – VMC matches young volunteers with opportunities that suit their interests and abilities
Friendship at Heart Programs for Seniors
and People with Disabilities
Friendly Visitor Program
Trained volunteers improve the lives of homebound seniors and disabled persons by providing companionship, socialization opportunities and important information through regularly scheduled visits. The volunteers, who are matched on the basis of location and time availability, commit to a minimum of one visit a week at a time convenient to both the volunteer and recipient. Background checks are performed on all visitors.
The Friendly Visitor program empowers seniors to stay in their homes longer than they otherwise would, adding immeasurably to their quality of life.
Everyone benefits from these services. The recipients enjoy companionship, reassurance, socialization and contact with the community. The volunteers receive great satisfaction by alleviating the loneliness and isolation of the homebound.
Telephone Reassurance Program
A daily phone call connects a lonely or isolated senior or a permanently disabled adult with the outside world. It brings peace of mind to caregivers by knowing someone is in daily contact with a loved one.
Each weekday volunteers make phone calls from calling sites throughout Morris County. Every volunteer is screened and trained in emergency procedures; many have been instrumental in averting tragedies. In addition to checking on the recipients, volunteers provide a “friendly ear” and can give information about available services.
Phone Friends
Phone Friends is a program that clusters five seniors to make and receive a daily wellness phone call. Everyday, one person in the cluster of five (a different one each day) calls the other four for a brief conversation. That means Monday through Friday each senior in the cluster receives one phone call from another senior and is assigned one day to call the four other friends.
Phone Friends helps break the loneliness of being homebound and fosters new friendships over the phone. They will know that they have friends nearby with whom they can speak and reach out for help or advice. This program is especially appropriate for non-English-speaking seniors.
These programs are FREE for all participants.
For more information on becoming a Friendship at Heart volunteer, or if you know of someone who would benefit from either program, contact Toni Teague at 973-538-7200, ext 12, or email tteague@vmcnj.org.
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Youth Group Opportunities
Young people today are more and more involved in their communities, striving to help others, to improve the environment and, ultimately, to seek a better quality of life for everyone. VMC is committed to engaging youth in age-appropriate volunteer activities that match their talents and interests with compelling community needs.
Studies show that once our young people have experienced a taste of volunteerism, they are twice as likely to volunteer as adults. Our young volunteers are tomorrow’s leaders—let’s give them every opportunity to succeed.
Youth Can Make a Difference by:
- Cleaning up rivers and parks
- Sorting and distributing at food banks
- Tutoring both young and old
- Translating for non-native speakers
- Providing administrative support for fundraising events
- Assisting at animal shelters
- Coaching or refereeing sporting events
- Answering phones on a help line
- Cooking and serving meals for the hungry and homeless
- Transporting patients to religious services
- Assisting physically-challenged children
The possibilities are endless. The results benefit our youth and our communities by developing leadership skills, exploring career paths, demonstrating initiative for college applications and scholarships, and creating a sense of community and belonging.
Start by asking your group the following questions:
- How much time do we have to commit?
- What interests or hobbies do we share?
- What do we want to get out of our involvement?
- What type of service will we enjoy?
- What community or neighborhood problems concern us?
Answer these questions and then check our YOUTH DIRECTORY to learn more about the many organizations and agencies that welcome youth volunteers. Or give VMC a call at 973-538-7200 so we can get your group on the right path to finding a great volunteer experience.
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