Grand Gateway EDA AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program Awarded $540,000.00 to Support Senior Volunteer Service Funding will support 60 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers.

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Big Cabin, Oklahoma – Grand Gateway Economic Development Association (GGEDA) announced today that it has received an AmeriCorps Seniors grant of $540,000 from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. The grant will expand AmeriCorps Senior Companion Programs presence to Mayes, Delaware, Nowata, and Washington counties. The program has served   Craig, Ottawa, and Rogers counties since 1986.

Grand Gateway Executive Director, Errin Clocker states:  

With this new funding, GGEDA AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program will leverage the skills and experience of AmeriCorps Senior Volunteers in the entire service area of GGEDA. These AmeriCorps volunteers will enable older adults to remain in their own homes and age in place. In addition, volunteers can give family caregivers a break.

The programs also enable eligible adults over 55 to serve as Senior Companion Volunteers. Volunteers receive many benefits including tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, better health, a sense of purpose, and new friends.   Volunteers typically focus on delivering groceries and assisting with meal preparation, completing simple chores, companionship, and respite time for family caregivers.

Learn more about AmeriCorps Seniors at AmeriCorps.gov/Seniors. Or call the SCP office near you. Craig and Mayes County - (918) 244-0877 Rogers, Nowata and Washington County – (918) 244-5907 or Ottawa and Delaware County (918) 244-5819