AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program
AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program
The Senior Companion Program of Harris County pairs adult volunteers aged 55 and up with older adults who need support with daily living tasks. Volunteers provide companionship and practical help that keeps seniors engaged and connected to their communities. This reduces loneliness and promotes independence that helps seniors age safely at home and provides respite to their caregivers.
Volunteers typically serve 15–40 hours per week for a year or longer. The program provides training and support, and eligible volunteers may receive a tax-free stipend, transportation assistance, supplemental insurance, and other benefits.
Help us build a stronger, more connected community for aging adults. Join the Senior Companion Program – help older adults live interdependently with dignity.
Become an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer
Ready to make a lasting difference? If you’re 55 or older and can volunteer 15-40 hours per week, join the Senior Companion Program and become a vital lifeline for older adults in our community.
Benefits Include:
- Tax-free hourly stipend
- Mileage reimbursement
- Supplemental liability insurance
- Paid time off
- Annual volunteer recognition
- Pre-service and monthly in-service training
What does an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer with the Senior Companion Program do?
Volunteers serve between 15-40 hours per week and provide support and companionship that enriches the lives of the older adults they serve. This may include providing one-on-one companionship, engaging in group activities, providing transportation to appointments, or helping seniors run errands.
Who can be an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer?
- Must be 55 years or older
- Commit to volunteering 15-40 hours per week
- Meet established income eligibility guidelines
- Pass FBI fingerprint and background check
Volunteers
Volunteers are adults, 55 years or older, low income, meet income eligibility (200% below poverty guideline) and, on average, volunteer 20 hours per week with 1 to 2 clients. Eligible Senior Companions volunteers receive a modest tax free-stipend to cover the cost of serving. They must successfully pass fingerprint-based criminal background checks.
Become a Senior Companion Volunteer
Please complete the form above. Upon completion of the form, you will need to attend an interview with a Foster Grandparent Program staff member.
Learn more about our volunteer prescreen process here.
Questions? Email us at seniorcompanion@erjcchouston.org, or call us at 713.595.8189.
CLIENTS
Interested in receiving free support from a Senior Companion volunteer? Potential clients must be 55 or older, live in Harris County, and undergo a screening process to determine eligibility.
- Complete and submit the Potential Client Prescreen document.
- Learn more about our Client Prescreen Process here.
Questions? Email us at seniorcompanion@erjcchouston.org, or call us at 713.595.8189
Well-Trained and Responsive
Senior Companions volunteers receive extensive training and attend an orientation before they’re placed with a Station. Volunteers are paid a stipend while attending the training sessions. There is a mandatory four hour monthly In-Service Training, provided by the project director, to give support, education, and information on issues facing the aging population in the community.
Community Partners
Once Senior Companions volunteers are trained, they are placed with non-profit community agencies and organizations that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Senior Companions project director and serve as a Station. The Station appoints a Station representative that will provide additional training, placement, and supervision. Due to the limited number of Senior Companions volunteers, the Station representative places the volunteers with their most at-risk clients, taking into consideration the satisfaction of the volunteer.
Good Idea…Great Investment
Senior Companions volunteers often make the difference between living at home and being placed prematurely in a nursing home. The average annual cost of a nursing home in the Houston area is $93,000, and this amount is largely shouldered by families. Senior Companions volunteer in one’s home at a cost of $6,500 per year, at no cost to the individuals and families they serve. this translates into major health care savings for senior adults, families and community taxpayers.
In 2019, Senior Companions volunteers helped over 21,000 older adults maintain their independence in Texas. There is never a charge to the client or family member for a Senior Companions volunteer. There are only 52 federally-funded and one state-funded Senior Companions volunteer for the Houston Harris County areas. With the generous support of the Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust, and other community grantors, additional volunteers are funded.
You can make a difference by making a tax exempt donation to this unique program. Your dollars will go to the direct expense of the Senior Companions volunteer. Please mail your tax exempt donation, payable to the Senior Companions Program, and addressed to: Evelyn Rubenstein JCC/Senior Companions Program, 5601 South Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096.
Are you ready to serve? Contact Seniorcompanion@erjcchouston.org. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook.
