The Spring Cleaning event at Foothills Caring Corps was the first official project that I helped plan; I was so excited to invite the community to participate and engage people of all age levels. As a senior at Cactus Shadows High School, I teamed up with other students from the National Honor Society and Falcon Foundation to volunteer at this event, and more than 20 students came to volunteer with adults joining us as well!
On Saturday, April 10th, we broke out into teams and worked at different stations to help with a variety of tasks. We helped clean and organize medical equipment in the Mobility Loan Closet while others sanitized the interior and exterior of the transport vans. Volunteers assisted with beautifying the front of the offices by washing the windows, putting out new welcome mats, and even potting plants to create a more welcoming and positive environment!
The sense of community felt so strong and many of the volunteers were passionate and grateful for the opportunity to continue to help others during such crazy and uncertain times in our lives. Through collaboration, excited attitudes, and engagement from volunteers of all ages, we were able to complete the project in only a couple of hours! It was so much fun being able to spend time with peers and help meet the needs of Foothills Caring Corps.
The best part of the Spring Cleaning event was being able to get students involved with an organization that is typically targeted towards older members of the community, and sharing the valuable message and mission of Foothills Caring Corps. This was only the first project of many, and I am looking forward to finding more ways to help this incredible organization establish a lasting relationship with the student volunteers at the local high school!
Written by Jessica Brashear, Cactus Shadows Student Volunteer
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
The months of March and April have been busy here at Foothills Caring Corps! Continuing our “convoy” series, we had our “Spring Joy Convoy” during the month of April. Over five days, Volunteers traveled a total of 140 miles and visited more than 50 Neighbors! Spring-themed signs bearing happy messages were waved by Volunteers and decorated the vans. Each Neighbor received a colorful treat bag filled with lots of goodies! Special thanks to the Craft Angels from Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church for donating goodies, FCC Volunteers who provided delicious baked goods, and the beautiful origami butterflies and cranes created by Paradise Valley Community College student Anh Phan.
PROGRAMS RESUMING IN THE COMMUNITY
Neighbors enrolled in the Van Program were mailed a Van Calendar for events occurring during the month of May. The number of outings is currently limited compared to pre-pandemic times, but we hope that more destinations will become available in the future. Any Neighbor who is not on the Van mailing list, but would like to receive a calendar for June, should contact Donna Guerin via email at donnag@foothillscaringcorps.com or call Foothills Caring Corps’ office at (480) 488-1105.
Desert Foothills YMCA will resume in-person exercise classes starting in June!
Silver Sneakers | $5 | Monday, Wednesday & Friday
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Silver Sneakers Classic is designed to increase muscle strength, range of movement, and improve activities for daily living. A chair is used for seated exercises and standing support and the class can be modified depending on fitness levels.
Chair Yoga | Free | Tuesday & Thursday
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Chair yoga is a gentle practice in which postures are performed while seated and/or with the aid of a chair. Chair yoga classes typically target those with physical disabilities or aging men and women who find a typical yoga session too challenging. It is also a great form of yoga for beginners or anyone who wants to focus on a gentle practice
One-on-One Services will start up again on July 1st. This includes Friendly Visiting, Pet Visiting, Caregiver Relief, Basic Technology Help, and Shopping With Neighbors. Volunteers and Neighbors alike are still required to adhere to Foothill Caring Corps’ Health & Safety Protection Policy and follow CDC guidelines. This means both individuals must be wearing a mask that covers both the nose and mouth and continue to social distance. For more information about One-on-One Services, or to request a service, please contact Valerie Prue via email at valeriep@foothillscaringcorps.com or call Foothills Caring Corps’ office at (480) 488-1105.
OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS ARE “WHEEL SAFE”
Safety is a top priority for all Foothills Caring Corps programs and services, especially those that require the use of accessibility equipment. When a wheelchair lift or ramp on one of our vehicles is needed to assist a Neighbor, we want to ensure that everyone involved is safe!
All Volunteer Drivers and Assistants participate in required training that teaches them how to secure wheelchairs and use necessary equipment properly. After completing Passenger Assistance, Safety, and Sensitivity (PASS) Training, Volunteers are certified for “Wheel Safe” transportation.
PASS Training was developed by the Community Transportation Association of America, the industry leader for the training of persons who transport people. This extensive course includes both classroom and hands-on learning. There are discussions about safe, distraction-free driving and the Americans with Disabilities Act requirement in the classroom. Participants review potential medical conditions that passengers may have, along with their resulting needs and sensitivities. Finally, videos demonstrating how to use accessibility equipment and secure wheelchairs are shown.
The hands-on portion of training allows up-close demonstration and an opportunity to practice techniques learned in the classroom. Each participant must prove they can board and secure a person who uses a wheelchair properly. The last part of PASS Training is a 50-question written test. After the successful completion of the course, each participant receives a two-year certification.
Foothills Caring Corps’ Van Transportation Manager, Donna Guerin, is a qualified PASS trainer and completed the multi-day training following in the footsteps of long-time Volunteer Arthur Gimson. Now, Donna can “pass” along what she has learned to dedicated Volunteers so that our Neighbors enjoy the safest transportation experience possible!
MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION EXPANDED
Beginning on May 1st, transportation to medical appointments with primary care physicians and medical specialists is available to Neighbors! Each month, Neighbors can receive up to four round trips to medical appointments. Did you know that our ability to transport Neighbors is entirely dependent on the availability of our Volunteers? For this reason, we require Neighbors to call at least ten days prior to their appointment. This way, we can find a Volunteer to drive them!
We are continuing to provide transportation to the following medical appointments:
Cancer and cancer-related treatment such as chemo and radiation therapy
Cardiac and cardiac-related
Dialysis
Eye treatment and related appointments for conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration
We are not currently taking Neighbors to regular medical appointments such as:
General dental appointments
General eye appointments
Physical, speech, occupational, or other therapy
TELL YOUR TAX DOLLARS WHERE TO GO
Your gift to our Neighbors in need can be claimed dollar-for-dollar
