The next Respite Volunteers of Shiawassee Volunteer Training is set for Tues. Feb. 28th at Trinity United Methodist Church, Owosso, 720 S. Shiawassee St. (S. M-52), however the parking lot for the church is off of Ryan St., which is west of S. M-52.
 
There are multiple volunteer opportunities; volunteering for a person with health/medical challenges in the volunteer’s own community, providing respite for the family caregiver, helping at the office in Owosso, helping with events, helping with special projects.  Volunteer opportunities for helping in the office include; greeting guests, answering the phone, answering questions, filing, helping prepare newsletters, data entry, correspondence, cleaning, yard work, maintaining the building, preparing for Volunteer Trainings and events and helping with fundraising.
 
The program serves adults who have ongoing health and medical challenges, especially if their family caregivers need respite volunteer services.  The volunteer service is based on availability of volunteers for each community. A home visit is completed by a Respite Volunteer case manager for persons requesting the service, to assess the person, and their family caregiver, and basic  home safety in order to establish the person and family is eligible, offer suggestions, and be able to choose a compatible volunteer to be matched.  Staff members also provide the person and their family caregivers with patient and caregiver education about the many other health, home care and senior services that are available, that may further stabilize the person being able to remain at home. Volunteers primarily provide friendly visiting, and respite (a gift of time) to 24/7 family caregivers.
 
The training is designed to prepare volunteers for many different volunteer opportunities, and to give potential volunteers a chance to try out volunteering with Respite Volunteers.  Volunteer opportunities include: helping in the office, helping with events, and to serve adults with ongoing health needs, and their caregiving families, and especially persons who are frail, elderly, and living alone.  Respite volunteers typically spend one to three hours a week of time with the person they are matched with in their own community, and help as needed depending on each person and family caregiving situation. The volunteers provide friendly visiting, play cards or board games, help the person with hobbies, and provide respite to the family caregivers.
 
For additional information, please see the website:  www.respitevolunteers.org or the Respite Volunteer facebook page, call 989-725-1127 or stop by the office at the historic brick home east of Memorial Healthcare, 710 W. King St. in Owosso.  The main entrance is on the parking lot side.  Persons who are interested in taking the training are asked to register in advance office@respitevolunteers.org or  989-725-1127. A meal will be provided to potential volunteers at the training also.
 
Adults with health and medical challenges, and their family caregivers may also contact Respite Volunteers to be provided a friendly visits by a volunteer.

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