Woburn-based Social Capital Inc. Seeks Volunteers to Aid in 'Woburn Volunteers for Seniors' Project

From Social Capital Inc.

WOBURN - Social Capital Inc. (SCI), a nonprofit organization based in Woburn, has received a $6,000 grant from CHNA 15 to fund a new project called Woburn Volunteers for Seniors. This project will match isolated and handicapped seniors with local volunteers that will assist seniors in outdoor chores such as snow shoveling and leaf removal. Volunteers will also be on call in case of sudden, heavy snowfall that, without assistance, could leave many seniors homebound. SCI will collaborate with the Woburn Senior Center and Woburn Council on Aging on the project.

The idea for the project was born in the now-infamous winter of 2014-2015 when Massachusetts received record snow accumulation. During a meeting with Judy Tanner of the Woburn Senior Center, SCI President David Crowley learned of several seniors affected by the storms. In addition to being trapped in their homes, many were unable to clear external vents, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous carbon monoxide buildups. Using existing channels, such as SCI’s website and social media, Crowley and his team quickly mobilized a group of volunteers to provide emergency assistance to over a dozen seniors.

“We were pleased to be able to recruit volunteers to help following a major blizzard,” commented Crowley. “But the situation also pointed out the need to develop a more systematic way to support seniors who might be in need of assistance.”

This project is funded through CHNA 15 DoN funds from Lahey Hospital and Medical Center and Winchester Hospital. SCI is currently seeking volunteers of any age to help with the project, as well as seniors in need of these services. If interested, please contact Jordan Caress at jcaress@socialcapitalinc.org.

SCI’s mission is to strengthen communities by uniting diverse individuals and groups through civic engagement initiatives. Since 2002, SCI has been developing Social Capitalists who reach across differences to mobilize neighbors and volunteers to strengthen our communities. Reflecting the variety of needs we face, SCI projects in 19 Massachusetts communities include youth-led campaigns to promote healthy eating and exercise; community web-portals and e-newsletters to connect people to civic information; multi-cultural events; neighborhood gatherings and resident-led community problem solving.

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