Schools are closed so foster grandparents can’t be in the schools helping students. It’s difficult with my senior companions since many clients depend on them for essential components and I have to be firm with the volunteers telling them not to leave their homes. They are so dedicated to their clients and they’ve made a promise to be able to count on them.”

Diane Dudley, Maricopa County Senior Companion program coordinator

There’s a program available for seniors to give back to the community, whether it’s serving the young or senior group.

The Senior Corps, made possible through the Civic Service Institute at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, is an opportunity for adults 55 and older in Sun City West, Sun City and elsewhere to serve in schools in the foster grandparent program or senior companion program. Senior Corps partners with non-profit community organizations.

While the Senior Corps looks a little different now due to the social distancing guidelines in place, it’s the perfect time to take a dive into the organization and begin the process of becoming a volunteer, according to officials.

Maricopa County Senior Companion Program Coordinator Diane Dudley said there’s a pause on programming due to COVID-19.

“Schools are closed so foster grandparents can’t be in the schools helping students,” she said. “It’s difficult with my senior companions since many clients depend on them for essential components and I have to be firm with the volunteers telling them not to leave their homes. They are so dedicated to their clients and they’ve made a promise to be able to count on them.”

Foster grandparents act as mentors and tutors for children in local schools who benefit from extra attention and assistance. The senior companion program is a service initiative to provide assistance and friendship to elderly, homebound individuals. This can include chores, providing transportation to medical appointments and outings, and give clients the chance to interact with the world around them.

“The program allows low-income seniors to receive a small stipend if they qualify, which is $3 per hour,” Ms. Dudley said. “Senior companions also get reimbursed for mileage.”

Sun City resident Doris Caravan has been a foster grandparent at El Mirage Elementary School, 13500 N. El Mirage Road, El Mirage in the Dysart Unified School District for four years, with the same teacher at the third-grade level. Her job consists of reading to students and doing whatever it takes to gain understanding, and that includes any subject they need help with.

“I like people and love children and I see the need for children to have extra help sometimes with something they are struggling with and we are all struggling with something, so if we can get a helping hand that makes their life easier,” Ms. Caravan said.

She lost her husband five years ago and she was at a point where she wasn’t sure what to do with her life. She read the article on Senior Corps in the newspaper and said God was telling her something, so she applied.

“This program is so worthwhile, and I wish more seniors that met the guidelines would just try it because just think all those children need all the people they can to help them,” she said. “It’s not easy for children and some have it better than others and those others are who we help.”

Ms. Caravan said this is one thing in her life she will remember, and it will make an impact on someone else’s life, whether it is an adult or child.

“Every day the children make me laugh and it helped me get over my grief and they truly give back,” she explained.

Wanda Meyer lives in Sun City and is part of the senior companion program. Her interest was peaked when she heard about Senior Corps and realized this is what she has been doing all along in her community. With a nursing background and a heart for helping others, Ms. Meyer said retirement is for the birds and at 85 she likes having things to do.

“Across the street there is a 94-year-old woman who I make sure has food and take her shopping when she needs something,” she said. “But now I can’t visit her in person, I call her and check in and make sure her food is being delivered.”

When Ms. Meyer gets assigned to an agency she will continue the work she does already in a more official senior companion role for Senior Corps.

While contact through Senior Corps programs are limited now with coronavirus social distancing and facility closures, volunteers can still contact clients by phone, email and other digital means and continue their work, according to Ms. Dudley. The agency still needs more volunteers, and those seniors interested are encouraged to apply even during the COVID-19 situation, she added.

To start the process of becoming a foster grandparent or senior companion, contact Maricopa County Senior Program Recruiter Laurie Barash at 480-339-9339 or by email at laurie.barash@nau.edu. The application process and background check take six weeks to complete, plus an additionally 20 hours of initial training. Then volunteers are assigned to a partner agency and can begin seeing clients. Non-profit senior serving agencies looking to have senior companions in either Sun City, Sun City West or other communities, can also contact Senior Corps.