Who We Help
Our Caregiving Program supports and assists the elderly, disabled, chronically and temporarily ill. Our clients have difficulty maintaining independence and quality of life.
Our Services are primarily need-based and not dependent upon financial eligibility.
We Can provide a ride to appointments, shop for a disabled person, visit a homebound person, stay with an elderly person so a caregiver may go out, help around the house, and more.
Towns Servered: Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Sandown and Windham.
The services that the caregiveing volunteers provide are at NO charge to our clients. Our services are made possible through individual donations, foundation support, and the towns we serve.
Our Mission:
Enriching lives and supporting individuals to remain independent through a compassionate volunteer community.
History
In 1988, Joyce Gray, the founding executive director, got a call from Peter Hey, the then Reverend of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Peter and Joyce went to seminary together and he explained to her an idea he had had for a much needed group.
He wanted to gather a coalition of seven churches to collectively help the elderly and disabled remain in their homes as long as possible. The idea was modeled on the three-year old caregiving group in Manchester. He was finding, as we do today, that there are many elderly and disabled local residents who were in need of a little help to be able to safely maintain their independence. Most of these elderly residents either made too much to be eligible for subsidized assistance or too little to pay for services out of pocket. There was a tremendous gap area that was being underserved or not served at all.
He also noted that he knew of many local people who wanted to help someone but didn’t know who to help or how to go about it. He wanted to hire a staff member and asked Joyce to apply. Joyce had had experience founding a local hospice program and was ready for a challenge.
The organization started out of Joyce’s kitchen using her home phone. The original board worked hard to publicize the new program through the media and churches. Joyce can remember the first day she got a call from a person inquiring about volunteer positions and one from another person who needed help around the house. After they received a three-year start-up grant from the Alexander Eastman Foundation, they secured an office in the Nutfield Professional Building that they shared with the hospice program and started their hard work.
Within a year they had 100 volunteers and 50 clients. At the end of three years they had moved two more times, hired a secretary and a volunteer coordinator and managed 200 volunteers. At present, we have over nearly 500 volunteers that assist nearly 400 clients, free of charge each year. Collectively, since 1988, our volunteers have driven just under two million miles and contributed over 200,000 units of service to over 2000 citizens in the surrounding seven towns served by Caregivers. We also are home to the Loaner’s Closet for Durable Medical Equipment that has made 25,000 equipment loans since its start.
Current Program
The purpose defined by our founding members remains the same. Those who receive assistance are the frail, elderly, temporarily or permanently disabled and those individuals recuperating from or dealing with chronic illness. Caregivers covers the towns of Derry, Londonderry, Windham, Sandown, Chester, Hampstead and Danville. There is no charge for services. The Alexander Eastman Foundation continues to be a major funding source. Monies are also received through the United Way, towns, churches, membership drive, grants, fundraising efforts and individual donations.
The Caregiver’s office, based in Derry, is staffed by five individuals who oversee the client, volunteer and financial operation of the agency. Caregivers has established itself as an integral part of the community.