Seniors In Service Of Tampa Bay Inc

Senior companion program: provides ongoing support for homebound elders, adults with disabilities, veterans, and family caregivers to promote independent living. Clients are low-income and lack support from family/friends. They receive in-home companionship, homemaker services, respite and a watchful eye in case they need extra care - all at no cost to them. Program staff identify client needs based on ability to complete activities of daily living (adl's). Clients and volunteers are matched based on needs, culture, skills. Volunteers help with errands/chores, share health/safety information, engage in mentally stimulating conversation/games, communicate with families/case managers, & engage other agencies as needed. With this support, clients are less likely to need costly institutionalization. Both clients and volunteers benefit from increased social connection. In 2024, we helped 134 clients with 67 senior companion volunteers who served over 53,699 volunteer hours.

Retired and senior volunteer program (rsvp): matches people aged 55+ to the volunteer opportunity of their dreams. We partner with hundreds of organizations, strategically matching each volunteer to use skills they've gained over the years or to develop new ones. Our motto is: "got an hour? Give an hour!" focus areas include: 1) elder services - e.g. Senior living community recreation activities and health education; 2) hunger relief services - e.g. Food distribution/delivery; 3) education services - e.g. Tutoring; 4) non-profit capacity building. In 2024, we engaged 804 volunteers aged 55+ who served 66,202 hours to help our community.

"operation veteran connect (ovc): engages americorps members and community volunteers to help veterans navigate and access va benefits and healthcare services at james a. Haley and bay pines va facilities, as well as other essential community resources like food, snap, affordable housing, emergency utilities, employment, and more. In 2024, we engaged 79 volunteers who served 27,621 hours to help local veterans.health buddies: helps older adults with chronic conditions improve mental and physical wellbeing by matching them with a health buddy, who empowers them to self-manage their health through comforting, informative phone calls. Clients are isolated seniors referred by community partners they trust. Health buddies are college students preparing for health careers who offer "companionship as medicine", removing the stigma of seeking help while building the next generation of health professionals. In 2024, we helped 219 clients. 90% reported increased social connection, 85% reported improved health knowledge; 96% did not have a preventable hospital readmission for the same condition; 93% did not utilize emergency room services for a non-emergency need. "