The Family
Friends Program matches volunteers (ages 55+)
with families in Franklin and Hampshire County
in which a parent or guardian experiences challenges
due to cognitive or learning disabilities. Some
matches are also made for families in which only
a child has a disabling condition.
Who
are the volunteers? Family
Friends volunteers are people who love children
and want to help families succeed. The
program offers the volunteers a chance to stay
active, develop a relationship with a new family,
gain and share skills and wisdom, give back to
others, and attend a variety of informative workshops
and training sessions on topics relevant to the
lives of families and volunteers.
Who
are the families? The
families involved in this program have a parent
or child who is challenged by a cognitive or
learning disability. In addition, each
participating family is ready to enter an ongoing
supportive relationship with a new friend.
What is involved in becoming a volunteer? The
Family Friends coordinators meet with each potential
volunteer to get to know them and share information
about the program. Each new Family Friend
has the opportunity to participate in an in-depth
training program and receives ongoing and personalized
support to assure success in the match. Volunteers
are eligible to receive reimbursement for some
expenses such as mileage.
What
do volunteers do? First
and foremost Family Friends visit families! Together
with the family member they decide on what they
will do together. They play games and read
to children. They go to the library; they
read together and occasionally offer homework
help. They create art or crafts projects. They
take walks or go to the park. They offer
a listening ear and give advice. They enjoy
a cup of tea or coffee together. Sometimes
they cook meals together. They attend school
events or meetings. They may accompany
a parent of child to other appointments or activities
in the community. Most of all they have
fun together.
Eligibility & Referral: Interested
volunteers or families should contact the Family
Friends Coordinators at The United Arc. For
more information contact Mary Traver or Drenna
Mahaney, Family Friends Coordinators at The United
Arc, 413-774-5558 x 1042 or email: familyfriends@unitedarc.org.
The Family
Friends Program is cosponsored by Franklin
County Home Care. Initial grant
funding has come from the U.S. Administration
on Aging and the National Council on the Aging,
Inc.
