Why Volunteer? Senior Companion Program Director Deb Blackburn explains why your community needs you
April is National Volunteer Month, and at Georgia Southern, giving back to the community is a core part of the University. Want to volunteer your time to assist others but need help finding the right fit? The Georgia Southern University Senior Companion Program may be just what you are looking for. Deb Blackburn is Senior Companion Program Director and she explains why it’s a wonderful way to help those in need.
Tell us a little about yourself: Where are you from and what brought you to Georgia Southern?
I grew up in the cornfields of Northern Illinois, college at Monmouth College, and spent summers on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Georgia Southern recruited me at the Oshkosh Placement Exchange to be a hall director at Johnson Hall in 1994 and G-56 (now Watson Hall) in 1995. Georgia Southern had a better master’s in higher education than Clemson so it was an easy decision for me.
Briefly describe the Senior Companion Program (SCP) and why you are so passionate about it.
SCP is an amazing program. It matches volunteer low-income older adults with people who need extra assistance to remain independent in their own homes as long as possible. The volunteers receive enough stipend money to not only offset the costs of volunteering but sometimes can help with their medication or utilities. The advantages of the program are endless. In a nutshell: 1. Better health for everyone involved; 2. Financially advantageous for the volunteer, client and the client’s family; 3. Reduces state and federal health costs. Senior Companion falls under the federal AmeriCorps umbrella.
We received two American Rescue Plan grants and we could use your help, it is really easy! If you know people in the following counties, please let them know we are recruiting! We want to help some people before the grant period ends in June 2024. Most of the volunteers make over $500 a month - that’s a great incentive! Here are the counties: Jeff Davis, Johnson, Washington, Laurens, Montgomery, Treutlen, Telfair, and Wheeler Counties.
What characteristics do you look for in your volunteers?
You don’t have to fit into a pigeonhole to volunteer for us. I can find a need at our program for anyone to volunteer - whatever your skill set. We have openings on our advisory council where we value your personal opinion because it represents the needs and thoughts of people who may be like you. We have some really fun opportunities right now. How do you feel about party planning, and doing your favorite hobby to generate unrestricted funds for SCP? Email me and let’s brainstorm fun opportunities! I will share a few of our ideas. We are looking into an adult prom, fashion competition, or fashion show for older adults, and a haunted historical tour here in the Boro.
How much time (hours a week/month) do you expect volunteers to devote to the program?
There is no expectation for a volunteer’s time, just please follow through on your commitment.
Even if this program is not the right fit for staff and faculty, why would you encourage faculty and staff to volunteer in their community?
Volunteering is proven to improve health. Please set aside any ideas of what you think volunteering is. I think a lot of people have a misconception of what volunteering can look like and it discourages them. The people in your community need you! Board of directors and advisory councils frequently need community involvement. Look at your strengths and what you enjoy doing, then volunteer for a cause that has meaning for you. I would also recommend volunteering for some of the underdogs of the nonprofit world. I’ve been the executive director of both a community HIV organization and a rape crisis center and volunteers were not always easy to recruit. Another way to find your special volunteering experience is to go to the University’s Campus Museum of Service website and look for your inspiration.
Faculty and staff can learn more about the program by visiting: https://cbss.georgiasouthern.edu/gerontology/senior-companion-program/
For other volunteer opportunities visit: