09.29.21

Dear Volunteers in Action Community,

We are deeply concerned about the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, and communities. Like you, we have been closely monitoring the rapidly changing environment caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). This, coupled with the recent departure of the program’s coordinator and Jesuit Volunteer necessitates that we temporarily place a pause on Volunteers in Action. This means that we are not accepting new clients or volunteers and can no longer provide transportation or other in-person services.

We hope that clients and volunteers who are already connected will remain in contact. Volunteers should continue to report volunteer hours through the Better Impact system (https://app.betterimpact.com/) and abide by program guidelines.

We understand that this decision may have a big impact on your routine, so we hope to be clear about our limitations so that you can seek alternatives Below is a list of other resources that may help to meet your needs during this time.

If you’re looking for help with:

• Transportation
• CAT (Hood River): (541) 386-4202
• Free fixed route and dial-a-ride passes are available for those who qualify. Contact Mark Thomas mark.thomas@providence.org.
• Hood River Pedicab- Call or text: (541) 714-3130
• Mt Adams (White Salmon): (509) 493-4662
• Gorge Taxi Service: (541) 399-5060
• Home repairs
• Brush with Kindness: (541) 490-1417
• Groceries or meal preparation
• FISH: (541) 386-3474
• Meals on Wheels (Oregon): 541-276-1926
• Meals on Wheels (Washington): (509) 493-3068
• Companionship
• Oregon Senior Peer Outreach: 1-833-736-4676 or http://communitycounselingsolutions.org/senior-outreach/

If you would like more information on services that support older adults in our community, please contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center at (541) 276-1926.

A case manager or social worker at your primary care office may be able to help you identify other local resources. 

We hope to return to our full operations as soon as possible and will keep you informed of any updates as we are able. Thank you for your compassion and kindness throughout these challenging times. We can’t wait to see you all on the other side of this!

With an abundance of love and health,

Mark Thomas, M.Div., B.C.C.
Chief Mission Officer
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital
pronouns: he, him
541-387-6451 Desk

09.22.21

Hello Volunteers in Action Community,

I’m touching base with a bit of news for you. I’ll be leaving my position as Program Coordinator here at Volunteers in Action, and my last day will be September 30^th.

I wanted to reach out to let you know that I’ve so enjoyed working with all of you during my time here. It’s been a true pleasure getting to know you and serving my community. While I’m excited for the new opportunity ahead of me, leaving behind Volunteers in Action is bittersweet.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if there are any loose ends, you’d like me to tie up before I leave. I’m happy to do so. Moving forward, please contact the office directly at 541-387-6404 for your future needs. We do anticipate some reduction in the program’s responsiveness during this transition, but we will do our best to meet your requests.

Wishing you all the best!

Britta Willson, MA Gerontology

(Pronouns: she, her)

Program Coordinator, Volunteers in Action

Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital

T: 541-387-6404

F: 541-387-6462

06.20.21

Join the Movement! Become the 100,000th Dementia Friend

Nearly six million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month the Dementia Friendly in the Gorge Initiative and our partner Dementia Friendly America joins with others across the country in raising awareness of dementia—and ways we can all play a role in making our communities more friendly to those living with dementia.

In addition to becoming a Dementia Friend online at dementiafriendsusa.org, 26 states are offering live Dementia Friends sessions. There are over 97,000 Dementia Friends currently. Help us reach over 100,000 Dementia Friends by the end of June!

Dementia Friendly America, in addition to supporting the development of dementiafriendly communities, operates Dementia Friends USA, which is part of a global movement developed by the Alzheimer's Society in the United Kingdom. The goal of Dementia Friends is to help everyone in a community understand what dementia is, how it affects people and how everyone can make a difference for people touched by dementia. There are now more than 97,000 Dementia Friends across the country!

06.03.21

03.12.21

05.05.20

03.19.2020

In order to keep our clients and volunteers safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, here are the changes to the ViA program  effective immediately and indefinitely:

• We are no longer offering in-person visits to care receivers (companionship visits, light housekeeping, yard work, running errands, minor home repairs, etc).
• We DO offer weekly check-ins by phone!  
• We will transport only for critical medically necessary appointments such as macular degeneration eye shots, follow up from surgery, etc. We do not transport for emergency or illness!
• Grocery shopping
  • Switching to “shop for” instead of “shop with.” Contact the office for more info.

We are so grateful for everything our volunteers are doing to help the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 outbreak! Please reach out to the ViA office with any questions or concerns you may have!