The Community Senior Service Program of the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA has developed a “Friendly Visitor” program of social visits and/or transportation to homebound seniors. The purpose of this free program is to alleviate the loneliness and isolation of seniors, as well as to provide transportation and companionship to doctor appointments.

Seniors who want a friendly visitor must be older than 60, homebound (no longer driving) and able to interact socially. Seniors who need an occasional driver for special circumstances, such as transportation for medical procedures, will also be helped.

Seniors are matched with volunteers from the Y based on shared interests and availability as much as possible. Volunteers are asked to attend a training orientation, be at least 25 years of age, and go through the interview and screening process. Volunteers will visit seniors weekly for an hour or more and drivers will be scheduled as needed. Volunteers are asked to make a six-month commitment to the program.

Laundry, grocery shopping, housework, meal preparation, lifting, personal care or handling money are activities not included in the Friendly Visitor Program.

The service is provided free of charge through the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA.

Anyone who would like to be a volunteer in this program can contact Nancy Turney at (818) 790-0123 ext 225 or nturney@ymcafoothills.org for more information or an application form. The first training session is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. at Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA.