Southeast News, June 2005
Do you have a little bit of time on your hands?
A senior in Southeast Minneapolis could perhaps use your help. Volunteers visit once or twice a month and may do a variety of things such as taking walks, shopping, going to a doctor’s appointment, sharing a hobby, or just sitting and talking. We could also use transportation volunteers and “handypersons.” Here are a few examples of what our current volunteers are doing:
Rachel and Carol have enjoyed each others company for over a year. Rachel contacted Southeast Seniors when she needed to do community service for her nursing degree. She enjoyed her volunteer work so much that she has continued to volunteer. Rachel and Carol enjoy going shopping together, going out to lunch or just visiting.
Audrey is a visiting volunteer and she also plays the accordion. She enjoys entertaining seniors and other groups with her playing. She has played for several senior gatherings at the senior apartment buildings and in nursing homes.
Wanda and Bill have been visiting with each other for over two years. They enjoy going out for dinner and good conversation. Wanda says “It is a real meaningful and fun way to meet your neighbors.”
Nancy began volunteering for Southeast Seniors in 1995. She has helped many seniors with rides to appointments, running errands and other activities. She says, “I’ve loved every minute of it! I have many fond memories of my volunteer experience.”
Joanne has been a volunteer with Southeast Seniors for over six years. She has enjoyed the relationships she has developed with several seniors over the years.
Donna and Irene have been visiting with each other for over five years. They enjoy getting together on a weekly basis to talk about family and friends, going out to eat, going for a drive, or sitting and watching a baseball game. Donna says, “I love volunteering, especially for a neighborhood organization that does so much good for the community.”
Groups for Southeast Seniors
Seniors in the Southeast community might want to check out two social groups that meet regularly in Southeast Minneapolis.
Van Cleve Seniors meets every Thursday at Van Cleve Park. Pat Olson, Senior Citizen Coordinator of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, prepares a wonderful meal once a month. Other weeks activities include card games, board games, movies and outings. Pat says that new members are always welcome. Although the program takes a vacation in the summer, please give Van Cleve Park (612-370-4926) a call to leave a message for Pat to get connected to this group.
JOY group (which stands for Just Older Youth) meets three times a month. JOY President, Roberta Mark, helps host a monthly potluck lunch at Pratt Community Center and picnics at Luxton Park in the summer. They also have a monthly book group and monthly field trips. Roberta says there usually is not a charge for the activities. If you would like to find out about the next event or get your name on the monthly newsletter mailing list, please call Roberta at 612-331-6621. The group would love new members.
Service Coordination
Service Coordination is an important part of Southeast Seniors’ mission to the community, but we get a lot of quizzical looks when we try to explain what is meant by Service Coordination.
The short response is that Service Coordination means connecting people to services. We connect people to such services as specialized telephones for people with hearing loss; home delivered meals for those need a daily balanced meal; Lifeline telephone support; connecting people with our volunteer coordinator; assistance in filling out a health care directive; finding providers for transportation and chores; and more. Sometimes service coordination means helping seniors get through the paperwork for insurance, social security, Medicare, or other services. For some people, it is simply the comfort of knowing someone’s there and having an occasional call and visit from Southeast Seniors.
If you or someone you know would like more information on service coordination, please call 612-331-2302.
Guarding Your Identity
Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing financial crimes in America, accounting for losses in the billions of dollars every year. Minneapolis police offer these tips for protecting yourself.
- Don’t have your driver’s license number or Social Security number printed on your checks.
- Don’t carry your Social Security card or birth certificate in your wallet or purse.
- Try not to carry more than one credit card in your wallet.
- Don’t carry account passwords with your cards or write them on the cards.
- Shred all credit card offers mailed to you.
- Never give your credit card number or bank account information to anyone calling you.
- Review monthly bills carefully for unexplained charges.
- Make photocopies of the items in your wallet (both sides). Keep this photocopy in a safe place.
- Order your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and make sure the information is correct. Equifax 1-800-685-1111, Experian 1-888-397-3742, Trans Union 1-800-888-4213.
- Don’t carry credit card receipts. Keep them safe or destroy them.
(This information was provided by Nicole Nelson, CCP/SAFE at a Senior Safety presentation)