Friday, November 25, 2011

Settled and Serving in Place Along the 209 Corridor

                        
Helping those who want to stay in their homes in the Ulster County US 209 Corridor
Area for Accord, High Falls, Stone Ridge and Kingston.

                                               Who are we?                                    
                                
Formed in the Spring of 2011, a group of neighbors gathered people from the 209 corridor
to discuss how we might help one another remain independent, strengthen their communities, and stay in their own homes. Our group relies on the volunteers--neighbor helping neighbor. We have nurses, business people, artisits, homemakers, computer specialists, doctors, lawyers, educators--people with all kinds of skills.

We all need help at one time or another, and many people are hesitant to ask. To address this issue, our members are asked to indicate the ways in which they can help. Then a List Manager, available on our special phone, responds to calls for help by looking through the list to match the need with a volunteer. When you join, your name will be placed on the list to call, and of course, you will be able to ask for help.

                             What can you do?

Read aloud-or make a phone call and check up on a neighbor.
One person needed a ride to and from the doctor for treatment, another just needed someone to retrieve her walker from her basement, another needed a ride to a meeting at night. All kinds of neighborly help is possible: someone to walk the dog or water the plants. Or someone who enjoys walking, going to the movies or doing a puzzle together. Sociability is a big part of SSIP209.

                            How can we help?    

We recommend services providers such as contractors, handymen, electricians, yard men who offer our group discounts. We also offer discounts on bus trips to museums and cultural events. What we also discovered was that, in getting together regularly, we're always exchanging information that is making our lives easier and more enjoyable.

                         Where do we meet?    


Once a week--9:30 a.m. at Jack and Luna's in Stone Ridge, NY. We meet for coffee and  a chat for about an hour. On Thursday afternoons, members get together for films. Our members also meet to celebrate birthdays of the month. The regular business meetings/BagLunch are held at 12:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month in the United Methodist Church just south of Stone Ridge off of Rt. 209.

                              Who is eligible?

All men and women over 50 years of age are welcome. Most of our current group is clustered in the High Falls-Stone Ridge area. Eventually, we hope other groups will form toward the North and South of Rt. 209.

                         How much is membership?
                             

Members pay $25.00/year April-March. The fee covers telephone service, mileage transportation stipends and paper costs. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the yearly fee.

For information, write vvhlavsa@aol.com or call SSIP209 at 845-706-0182.

                          Join us! We are building community!