Catholic Charities Maine Receives Grant to Support Volunteer Recruitment for SEARCH Program

Portland, ME –Catholic Charities Maine’s (CCM) Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage & Hope(SEARCH) program has received a $10,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation. SEARCH connects isolated seniors with community volunteers in Androscoggin, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, and Somerset counties, as well as in parts of  Penobscot, Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford and Cumberland counties.

According to U.S. News, Maine has a “concentration of seniors that dwarfs most other states. Nearly 21 percent of Maine's population is over age 65.”

SEARCH volunteers provide friendly visitation and companionship to older residents and can help with appointments, errands, grocery shopping, in-home tasks/projects, and other needs. This grant was awarded to help this vital program in its recruitment efforts. 

“Maine’s aging population is growing, and we have a waiting list of clients who are seeking to be matched with SEARCH volunteers. We are grateful to the Maine Community Foundation for this grant, which will be a great help in attracting, training, and retaining more volunteers,” said Program Director Wendy Russell.

To learn more about volunteering with SEARCH, visit www.ccmaine.org/SEARCH-seniors

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