Hearts and Hands Companionship Program
Program Mission
The Hearts and Hands Program at the Orcas Senior Center recruits, trains and matches volunteers with elderly, ill, or disabled adults in the community to assist them in maintaining independence and improved quality of life. Volunteers make friendly visits to provide companionship, assistance with light chores in house and yard, errands, and opportunities for socialization. 
Our Hearts and Hands Program Director
The Orcas Senior Center (OSC), the Orcas District of the Senior Services of San Juan County 501(c)3 nonprofit organization continues to grow! Starting November 1, 2017, Tom Eversole was hired to direct the Hearts and Hands Program, which provides home-visiting companions. His initial focus will be on engaging and strengthening support for those volunteers. “Hearts and Hands provides an invaluable service to folks in our community, who are isolated, lonely and may have difficulty preforming ordinary activities of living at home” said Eversole. While not a home health care service, H & H volunteers provide regular, ongoing companionship and can help participants access other appropriate levels of care if needed. “I think my first task is to meet our currently active volunteers to make sure they are getting the support and training they need. As the program becomes more solid, we can accept more volunteer companions and participants,” Eversole said. “With proper support, H & H has the potential to expand its scope of services and to strengthen its collaboration with other community services that fill needs we don’t.” Tom comes to OSC following a career in mental health and public health. He provided mental health services to people with HIV/AIDS at Johns Hopkins Hospital and worked with the HIV/AIDS training program for the American Psychological Association. In Oregon, he served as Public Health Administrator for Benton County and later administered the Center for Public Health Practice for Oregon Health Authority. Tom lives in Deer Harbor and enjoys hiking and community theatre. Program Description Trained volunteers help neighbors in need with:
Referrals If you or someone you know is in need of assistance from a Hearts and Hands volunteer, please contact the Tom Eversole at (360) 370-0562. We will arrange for an assessment meeting to determine what needs can be met through our program and a volunteer will be matched according to similar interests and who can best meet the needs requested. If appropriate, referrals to other programs and services will be provided. There is no fee for services provided by Hearts and Hands. How Can I Help? You can help continue services to the Orcas Island community by donating your time and skills (direct care to a care recipient 1-4 hours weekly), occasional help with work projects (call us and we’ll include you on a list to call for special projects) assisting with transportation, and by giving a tax-deductible donation to Hearts and Hands to PO Box 1653. Our program is possible through grants, donations, and fundraising events. Care recipients are grateful for your gifts. “As you grow older, you will discover you have two hands. One for helping yourself, and one for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn Volunteers All volunteers receive a training and orientation of the principles and guidelines of being a Hearts and Hands volunteer. The orientation and on-going communication between coordinator and volunteer prepares and supports volunteers to be sensitive to the needs of the care recipient and to respect each person’s right to compassionate care, confidentiality, and dignity at all phases of life. Volunteers generally serve care-recipients in their own homes, but they also meet for lunch or go on field trips or appointments. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact 360-370-0562. United Way of San Juan County grant support received for 2018 The Hearts and Hands program was granted $1,000 in result of the grant request submitted for programming initiatives, specifically utilized to help the Orcas Senior Center with staffing for 2018. We appreciate their funding and hope to increase 2018 program offerings with their continued support! Learn More at: https://www.unitedway.org/ Hearts and Hands History HEARTS AND HANDS was founded in 2004 as an auxiliary program of Lahari Hospice and Respite Care. In 2009 HEARTS AND HANDS joined the Orcas Island Senior Center, the Orcas District of the Senior Services of San Juan County 501(c)3 program. Donations We appreciate your financial support. Please send tax deductible donations to PO Box 1653, Eastsound, WA 98245. Your donations will be put to excellent use to help be of service to seniors and individuals with disabilities who could use some support! Organization HEARTS AND HANDS is a program of Orcas Senior Center, the Orcas District of the Senior Services of San Juan County, a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. This program provides companionship to recipients and is largely volunteer driven with oversight and management provided by the Operations Committee and Staff of the Orcas Senior Center. ORCAS SENIOR CENTER P.O. Box 1653 Eastsound, WA 98245 360-370-0562 orcasheartsandhands@gmail.com |
Recipient and Volunteer Testimonials
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