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Programs

Outreach Programs

Encore also reaches out to elderly who are homebound, who no longer are able to make the trip to a senior center, or who have little or no access to support services. By providing a comforting voice over the phone, or a friendly face who pays a visit, outreach efforts may enable a senior to remain at home and also assists with reinforcing independence. The potential effect of this may be to lessen the chance of premature institutionalization, allowing the senior to remain “at home” with needed social supports.

FRIENDLY VISITING PROGRAM

This program matches homebound seniors with dedicated Volunteers who provide companionship and a sense of family for seniors living alone. They give seniors a sense of security, knowing someone is regularly in contact with them. For more information, call the Volunteer Coordinator, at (212) 581-2910 Ext. 1110.

SHOP & ESCORT PROGRAM

This program provides paid escorts for seniors with mobility issues who, with the assistance of an aid, can get to medical appointments, food shopping, pharmacies, other needed destinations. There is a sliding scale to offset the cost of the escorts. For more information call (212) 581-2910 Ext. 1125.

SENIOR CHAT

This program lets caring volunteers make contact with isolated, elderly individuals by phone once a week. A weekly phone call can go a long way to helping homebound seniors feel safe and connected to the world. Calls can be made from the volunteer’s home or office. We ask for a time commitment of six months. For more information call (212) 581-2910, Ext. 1110.


Creating
Miracles Every Day

“Every human being has a great yet often unknown gift to care, to be compassionate, to become present to the other, to listen, to hear and to receive. If that gift would be set free and made available, miracles could take place.”

–Henri M. Nouwen

“I regained my dignity at Encore 49…before Encore, home was a cardboard box.”

“It’s important for home bound seniors to know someone is there for them…if I get ‘down’ I call my friendly visitor; she always cheers me up.”

“I love all the activities at the Center. I’ve made some good friends here. If I didn’t come here I’d never get any exercise, or such good food.”

“I can forget my aches and pains when I get to the Center. I feel like the staff cares about me.”

“When I miss a lunch one day someone always asks the next day ‘you OK?’ That makes me very happy.”

“I know what it’s like to be homeless. I was out there living on the streets. After 7 years, I was tired of being cold, wet, hungry…it finally got to me.…I think Encore saved my life.”

“Being old, alone and in poor health, I don’t get out so much. I appreciate my meal every day. I don’t know how I would survive without it.”

“Without my escort, I would never be able to go to the doctor.”

“When I moved to Encore West with my best friend ‘Fluffy’, I was overjoyed. I came from an SRO and some people were abusive to me and Fluffy. They had no heart. I will never leave Encore West!”

“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

–Albert Einstein