Friendly Visitor Volunteers

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Friendly visitors are volunteers who provide companionship and emotional support to CICOA’s clients who are homebound or very limited in their ability to get out and about. Friendly visitors may be the only social contact with non-professionals that CICOA homebound client’s experience. While sharing an hour or so of your time may not seem like much, the impact and quality of life your presence and friendship has on clients is often time immeasurable. All while simply watching a ball game, playing cards or a friendly board game, or just simply chatting on the porch.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Visit client in his/her home and provide face-to-face companionship and emotional support for minimum of 1 hour per visit.
• If willing, perform simple tasks such as helping open mail, reading to client, running simple errands, and light housekeeping activities upon request.
• If needed, report major changes in client’s health status or living situation to CICOA Volunteer Coordinator.
• Enter a clear mutual agreement about expectations and limitations with client and Volunteer Coordinator.
• Inform client as soon as possible if agreed upon schedule needs to be changes.

TIME COMMITMENT

• Minimum of 1 client visit once weekly or biweekly
  

NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION

• Completed Volunteer Application
• Must submit to background check
• TB Skin Test- Paid for by CICOA

SKILLS NECESSARY

• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate
• Have available transportation
• Reliable and friendly

TRAINING

• Attend orientation to review information regarding confidentiality laws, organizational policies and volunteer guidelines.
• Willing to attend periodic trainings/meeting.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

• CICOA volunteers do not transport clients, dispense medications, give personal care or accept payment / gifts of any kind.