The Elvirita Lewis Forum for Intergenerational Resources

The Elvirita Lewis Forum sponsors three programs serving Northern Nevada:  Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, and the Elvirita Lewis Respite Voucher Program.  The Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs are federally sponsored through the Corporation for National and Community Service. 

The Foster Grandparent Program places low income senior volunteers with youth identified as academically at-risk or in need of special one-on-one assistance in a supervised setting.  There are 120 senior volunteers who help more than 2200 childen in Northern Nevada each year.  Sites served include public schools K-12, juvenile detention facilities, family drug court (TruVista), etc.  "Grandparents" help children of all ages meet their educational goals while sharing positive mature experience and patience.

The Senior Companion Program places low income senior volunteers with seniors who are isolated, living independently, and need basic social support in order to remain living independently.  These volunteers visit their "clients" at least once per week and are sometimes the only person that client comes in contact with.  These volunteers are dedicated and compassionate!  This program relies greatly on support from the State of Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division and at this time is working towards creating a strong sustainability plan so that seniors can continue to receive this much needed support from our volunteers.

The Elvirita Lewis Respite Voucher Program, which is supported through the State of Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division, provides respite grants of $1,000 to qualifying live-in caregivers of 1) people over the age of 60 who require a great deal of assistance with activities of daily living and who are not safe to be left alone, and 2) adult children between 18 - 59 years of age who meet the same criteria as above (the caregivers must be over the age of 60).  The need for this assistance is tremendous as services available to these families continues to dwindle.

Our programs need your help to continue serving the youth and elders of our communities in Northern Nevada.  You can designate your gift to any of our three programs on the donations page!

 

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