LITA of Contra Costa - Explore opportunities to volunteer with seniors

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The mission of LITA of Contra Costa is to educate and support Youth, Families and
aspiring Artists for success as Volunteer Visitors improving quality of life for seniors in
nursing care facilities( limited assisted living locations) and. LITA serves mainly West
Contra Costa County, particularly, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, El Sobrante, for holidays
mainly, San Pablo El Cerrito and Richmond

LITA of CC provides information to help you decide if this kind of volunteer work may
be for you. Bringing a weekly craft project, painting the ladies nails, sharing music,
drama, a hobby or bringing your pet are all good ways to get to know one or several
senior or disabled skilled nursing residents.

Often volunteers find one special senior friend. LITA highly values and supports those
on-going weekly visits. Artists, Pet Visitors, Youth and Families, especially those
with young children often require a more flexible schedule. LITA may recommend
spending time bi- weekly or monthly, visiting multiple seniors, depending on the
volunteer’s schedule.

LITA works with the nursing facility Activity Staff to prepare our new volunteer to
accomplish LITA’s mission, helping provide a successful experience for the volunteer.
Incidents or issues concerning anything happening at any LITA served facility are best
reported directly to LITA. We speak with facility staff and if necessary will request
ombudsman visits to that facility to look into any serious complaints.

We do our best to let you "try it out" first and decide if this volunteer work is for you.
Bringing a weekly craft project, painting nails, sharing a hobby or bringing your pet is a
good way to get to know the environment and become familiar with one or more patients.
For one time visits: LITA encourages holiday theme youth visits, amateur musicians,
art or dance performances as well as simple crafts projects. LITA Pets Parades are a
huge hit as well. It is vital that you and the Activity Director have a specific activity plan
event and time in mind for your visit. LITA of CC will help you develop this plan.

For "ongoing" weekly room visits: Skilled Nursing facilities require a current TB
test of all volunteers. Each facility will have their own set of paperwork for new
volunteers to complete. An orientation will includes viewing a state mandated
senior abuse prevention training video along with a guided facility tour.
Any volunteer under 18, must add a parent or guardian add their names and contact info
to the LITA application.