AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program (SCP)
Volunteers Empowering Seniors
Serve as a friend and companion to older neighbors making sure they can live in their own homes for as long as possible.
The Senior Companion program focuses on providing assistance and friendship to older adults who are lonely or have difficulty with daily tasks, such as shopping or paying bills. Through this program, volunteers enrich lives, keep seniors independent longer and provide respite to family caregivers. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers themselves report better health and longevity having served their community.
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Volunteers of the Senior Companion Program (SCP) are low-income individuals 55 years of age and over. They serve 15-40 hours per week helping adult clients live independently in their own homes. Senior Companions receive pre-service orientation, training, supplemental insurance while on duty, a tax-free hourly stipend and expenses to cover travel and meals.
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Senior Companions provide home visits and personal assistance to uplift elders who may struggle to remain living independently in their own residence, rather than exist in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Members of SCP are advocates for the elderly who may suffer from chronic health conditions, be physically and/or emotionally disabled, or otherwise require the help of a caring and knowledgeable friend and advocate.
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Benefits
As a volunteer, you will forge new relationships with people in your community and make rewarding differences in the lives of others.
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AmeriCorps Seniors service also provides tangible benefits for volunteers. The Senior Companions program offers modest, tax-free stipends to eligible volunteers to help offset the costs of volunteering. Other benefits include training, accident, personal liability, and excess automobile liability insurance as well as community recognition.
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Eligibility Requirements
To serve in AmeriCorps Seniors programs you must be:
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55 years and older
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Live in Frederick County, MD
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Only those that have an annual income of less than 200% of Federal Poverty Level will qualify for tax-free hourly stipend (currently $3.15/hour). Federal Poverty Level depends on your household size, please refer to the following chart for details - https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/federal-poverty-guidelines/.
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AmeriCorps SCP of Frederick County can pair you with a senior in need of companionship. If you have someone that you are already caring for, you may sign up together. For more information, please send us an email at AmeriCorps@aacfmd.org or call (301) 694-3355 x1040.
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