Helping Hands for Family Services of Westchester—Ways your family can partner with those in need
These are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities...
Maple House, Ossining
This low-income senior residence provides assistance to seniors that enable them to live independently in their apartments. FSW offers meals, help with financial matters, medical appointments and transportation to shopping. Recreational and cultural activities can greatly enrich our seniors’ lives.
• Families can bring entertainment: children play music; share a game of cards or board game; do a craft project together and serve refreshments
• Families make toiletry bags for residents (shampoo, cream, deodorant, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, aftershave, perfume)
• Families can "adopt" a grandparent, visit once a month, send postcards, have a telephone visit and share special holidays
• $350 provides a yoga teacher for 6 Saturday morning classes
• $500 provides a recreational specialist to lead movement classes
Early Head Start/Head Start, White Plains
The children and families in this program struggle to meet daily living needs; they fall below the federal poverty guidelines. Through a stimulating and enriching curriculum the children are prepared for elementary school by learning academic fundamentals and developing their social and emotional skills. Families are supported with nutrition and parenting classes; access to food and clothing resources; and workshops that develop marketable skills in computers, English language and literacy. Head Start serves 234 children and their families in White Plains.
• Families can organize a winter coat drive to keep the children warm
• Families can organize a hat and mittens drive to protect heads and hands from the winter cold
• Families can collect children’s books and educational toys to be used in classrooms and for children to take home
• Families can have a diaper drive for Early Head Start children (sizes 4 and 5)
• Families can make ‘Boxes of Basics’ for Head Start families (sugar, flour, can goods, breakfast foods, pasta)
• $2500 provides a music teacher for the “Rhyme, Rhythm and Song” curriculum
• Families can organize a fundraising drive towards purchasing a new school bus ($88,000) that meets Federal safety requirements enabling children to take field trips to museums, zoo, parks and educational venues
My Second Home, Mt. Kisco
This nationally recognized program links seniors and children in an intergenerational experience in which everyone learns and grows! Our seniors are frail or dealing with dementia and greatly benefit from the stimulating supportive environment. Through a wide array of activities- music, drama, creative arts, cooking, gardening, tai chi and oral history- My Second Home is expanding and connecting lives, giving our seniors incredible quality and dignity.
• Families can share a Saturday morning of music and craft with seniors
• Families can ‘adopt’ a grandparent, visiting once a month and celebrating special occasions together
• $1700 provides a senior with a full month scholarship to My Second Home
Camp Viva
This year-round program provides a week at camp for families affected by HIV/AIDS; camp reunions during the year and social and mental health services that support the needs of the families. The volunteers and staff who run this program create a nurturing environment for each family member to learn, grow and find comfort when needed.
• Families can fulfill the Camp Viva Wish List (ie. juice boxes, bottled water, band aids, towels, children’s bathing suits, t-shirts for children and adults, general medicine, sun block, bug repellent, toothbrushes, BINGO prizes, arts and crafts materials)
• Families can provide toys, clothing and gifts for the holiday ‘shop’ where parents can select items to give their children
• $1200 provides a scholarship for a child or adult to attend Camp Viva
• $500 provides a special ride/jumping castle on Camp Viva’s Carnival Day
To join Family Services of Westchester’s volunteers with helping hands, contact Gerry Goldberg, Outreach Coordinator at:
ggoldberg@fsw.org
or 914.937.2320, ext. 134.
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