“I’d never be in my home if it weren’t for those folks,” says Nancy NYFS Senior Chore Program participant. The Senior Chore program matches youth and adult volunteers with elderly residents so they can remain living independently.

 Nancy is 75 and lives independently in her New Brighton home. While she is in good enough health to maintain the inside of her home, “I just can’t do all the outside chores anymore,” she says.

 A member of the program since 2006, she has received help through NYFS’ Spring Clean Up and Fall Rake A Thons as well as special one-time service projects such as the installation of safety rails in her bathroom. “They were a life saver,” she says. “I was constantly worried I was going to fall. Those grab bars are one of the best things they ever did.” Debbie Petersen, NYFS Senior Chore Program Coordinator, also arranged to have Nancy’s garage door fixed through a special grant of emergency funds through the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging

 Nancy also likes to give back. “I donate items to Penny Pincher’s – I think it’s a great place,” she says, adding that it feels good to give back to an agency that has given her so much in return. “I certainly want to do what I can to help.”

 *Name is changed to ensure confidentiality.