Giving back to the community is an idea that most people can get behind, but it can be hard to find the right organization to give your time to. Can they work around my schedule? Are they flexible to work around the other volunteering I do? Is it okay if I can’t volunteer every week or even every month? 

Volunteering with an organization like A Little Help checks all the boxes. Plus, helping our older neighbors comes with its own rewards.

A Little Help is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an overarching goal to help older adults age well in the homes and neighborhoods where they raised their kids, built community and have lived for much of their lives. The organization connects volunteers—many whom are older adults themselves—with local seniors needing help with yard work, transportation, light indoor cleaning and tech help, among many other tasks. 

“A good rule of thumb is anything you would feel comfortable asking a neighbor to help with,” said Western Slope Coordinator Katie Skalla.

A Little Help started in Denver in 2005, and expanded to the Western Slope and the Roaring Fork Valley a few years ago. For now, Skalla helps oversee both western regions. 

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Last year, A Little Help volunteers served over 1,600 older adults throughout Colorado and assisted with 8,000 individual acts of service. Locally, 270+ volunteers provided 550 services for more than 100 seniors on the Western Slope. 

A Little Help provides a two-way street for older adults looking to give and receive help. Although adults 55 and older only make up 25% of the organization’s volunteer base, they represent 50% of the volunteers who help on a regular basis.

“We have many volunteers who hold dual roles, both as members (people who request help) and as volunteers,” said Skalla. 

After filling out an online application and background check, volunteers are able to “accept” projects from a list of needs submitted by seniors in the community. 

“You get the member’s contact information, then you can reach out to them and set up a time and date that works best for both parties,” said Skalla.

The only exception is when members request rides to scheduled doctors’ appointments.

There are no minimum time or activity requirements to volunteer. Volunteers can help out as their schedule allows.

“It makes it very convenient for anyone that is able to give their time,” said Skalla.

HOW TO RECEIVE HELP

Adults 55 and older can fill out an online membership application or they can call and ask for one to be mailed to them. 

After submitting their application, a member of A Little Help’s membership team will be in touch to verify their information, get to know them and their needs, and guide them through the process of requesting help via phone or email. 

In addition to help with yard work or in-home tasks, members can also request regular care calls or even a friendly visit. 

“We really care about each of our members and want them to feel like they’re part of this community,” said Skalla. “We’re going to help support them here on out.”

In the event that a member needs help beyond what A Little Help volunteers can provide, Skalla has a list of vetted community resources that she can refer them to.

Thinking back on the volunteers who have served her in the past, local senior Greta said, “A Little Help has been our saving grace for years. I must say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to each and every person who answered the phone, made the appointment, found the volunteers, or were the volunteers. You were kind, friendly and went out of your way to be sure we were pleased with what you had done for us.” 

SERVICE SATURDAYS

A Little Help organizes and hosts several intergenerational events a year. Their next Service Saturday on October 21 brings together groups of volunteers to help older adults with seasonal yard work tasks like raking, weeding, hedge/tree trimming, window washing and gutter cleaning. Solo volunteers of all ages, along with families, businesses, students, clubs and other groups can participate.

“Volunteering really impacts our community in so many positive ways,” said Skalla. “I believe that this work is incredibly important and impactful for our amazing volunteers and older adults.” 

Give a little help to older adults today by visiting ALittleHelp.org/application-volunteering. To sign up as a member, visit ALittleHelp.org/receivehelp/application-membership. 

For more information, contact Skalla at [email protected] or 970-753-0305.