Opportunity Council’s Volunteer Chore Program Expands to Whidbey Island
Most of us can relate to the feeling of watching a parent or other loved one get older and wishing they had a little more help nearby. Maybe we’ve called a friend who’s having a harder time getting around these days and heard how the process of navigating day-to-day tasks is becoming more and more difficult. No one should have to go through this alone.
We believe we all have a responsibility to help out when we can and where it’s needed. We help people do just that through the Volunteer Chore Program, a long-standing service that matches people in need with people interested in helping others. Chore is all about helping low-income older adults and low-income people with disabilities stay independent in their homes. The program is expanding to Island County this spring—and we couldn’t be more excited.
Now, Whidbey Island community members who need a little help to maintain their independence will have access to free chore services, thanks to the dedication of local volunteers.
Anya Sachs, Volunteer Chore Program Specialist at Opportunity Council, coordinates the program in Whatcom County (and now Island County). She told us, “The program serves as a piece of Opportunity Council’s community safety net, and we’re so grateful to be bringing this incredible resource to Whidbey Island.”
What Is the Volunteer Chore Program?
Grocery shopping, housekeeping, and other everyday tasks can sometimes be overwhelming for many older adults and people with disabilities. Asking for help may not be an option if people don’t have close friends or family nearby. On top of all that, financial barriers can make it hard to get help when it’s needed.
Anya said, “These folks don’t have a lot of money to stretch to cover their basic needs,” she said. “So what we do is we help them with day-to day-chores.”
The goal is simple yet powerful: to help folks maintain their independence and dignity by getting what they need for a healthy, happy home.
The Chore Program connects volunteers with people in need, helping people with everyday things like:
- Grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions
- Light housekeeping
- Yard work
- Rides to medical appointments
- Dog walking
Help is provided free of charge and is coordinated based on volunteer availability. So volunteers truly are the heart of this program, Anya said.
The first step in building momentum for the Chore Program on Whidbey Island will be getting a strong volunteer base. Once we’ve got enough folks on Whidbey Island who are willing to help, we’ll start matching them with people in need.
The launch of this exciting resource depends on folks who are willing to help out their neighbors hearing about the program. We’re looking forward to watching it grow and we hope the community will help us spread the word.
Helping folks on Whidbey Island
One of the biggest impacts of the program is that it helps keep folks in their homes. Few people want to move away from the comfort and familiarity of their homes as they get older, but they can have a hard time with everyday tasks and loneliness. Chore volunteers provide practical assistance and the companionship that make it possible to live independently.
It’s hard to overstate how important to our well-being it is to have time with fellow humans. When volunteers help out with chores, the interaction helps reduce isolation for folks who are getting older, or who have a disability. Having a neighbor or community member stop by to help out with a pet or mow the lawn is not only practical, it makes somebody’s day and reminds them that they’re not alone.
One of our clients said, “It is nice having the social contact with the volunteers. They have all been great. They have helped me with things I can no longer do or need help with. This helps me remain in my home and stay more independent, which I want to do.”
Unfortunately, older adults and people with disabilities in the county are more likely to find difficulty with household chores, transportation, and essential daily tasks as time goes on. Whidbey Island is no exception. That’s why we’re so grateful to be able to fill in the gap by bringing the Chore Program to Island County.
The program has been around for 30 years in Whatcom County and while we’re elated to expand the legacy, we know every community is different. As we expand to Whidbey Island, we’re reaching out to everyone we can (including military communities) and looking into what type of help is most in demand.
How Volunteers Make a Difference
“Chore has made a huge difference in my life. I have made friends and had wonderful companionship. They provide very important assistance.” When we heard this from one of our clients, it warmed our hearts.
We all need a little help sometimes, but a lot of folks with lower incomes face challenges accessing the help they need. Add the decreasing mobility that comes with age or a disability, and the challenges grow exponentially.
One of our Chore participants said, “I am a stroke survivor and have physical limitations as a result. I care for my home myself, but a few tasks are difficult for me to complete physically. My volunteer did these for me very cheerfully—she is a gift!”
Volunteers are crucial to the success of this program. They help turn simple-but-out-of-reach-tasks into accessible goals. Day-to-day chores should be something in the background of someone’s life—not an extra stressor. Volunteers have a profound effect on a client’s daily life by bringing these chores back into the realm of achievable, not-a-big-deal items on the list. And that is a HUGE deal.
The Power of Volunteering
Clients aren’t the only ones whose lives are impacted. Our Chore volunteers have shared countless stories with us about how their volunteering has changed them for the better.
Benefits to volunteering can include increased health—it’s really good for you. Volunteers are known to experience health benefits, including a lower risk of depression, and they may even live longer.
One of our Chore Program volunteers said: “Dog walking has been a fun way to give back while getting out into our beautiful community—and bonus, getting those steps in! It’s a real win-win.”
Volunteering helps make our community a safe and appealing place to live. When we care for each other, our sense of community gets stronger. We’re more likely to ask for help and accept it. When we help each other out, our neighborhoods start turning into places where we all look out for each other—where our kids can play together out front, where we have someone we can call with that 5 a.m. emergency. The more we get to know our neighbors, the more we can all thrive.
Volunteering builds friendship. The relationships that form between volunteers and clients often go beyond practical support. Many clients look forward to their volunteers’ visits, enjoying the companionship and sense of connection that comes with it. As Anya said, “The program really fosters relationships within the community.”
One of our volunteers who frequently drives people to their health appointments told us, “I got involved with the chore program as a way to help others and keep myself busier. I chose this because it fits in with my physical limitations. The transport of others, both in town and out, has been an interesting way to meet new people.” We love that this volunteer opportunity can flexibly build relationships, no matter your ability or stage of life.
A Great Opportunity for Groups, Churches, and Organizations
Speaking of relationships, the Volunteer Chore Program is a great way to foster connections within various community groups.
It’s not just for individuals—groups, churches, and other organizations can also get involved. This is a fantastic way for teams to work together toward a meaningful cause while maintaining a flexible schedule. Whether it’s a church group reaching out to a senior with ongoing assistance or a workplace organizing monthly volunteer outings, there are many ways to contribute. Partnering with the program can strengthen group bonds while making a tangible difference in the community.
If your organization is interested in partnering with Opportunity Council, please email chore@whatcomvolunteer.org for more information.
The great thing about the Chore Program is that the cost to run it is extremely low—all it requires is one of the things we’re best at: connecting people in need with people who want to help.
Want to help folks get to their doctor’s appointments and connect with their neighbors? Consider becoming a volunteer. Applications are always open.
And if you know someone who could benefit from these services, please help spread the word. Together, we can build a stronger community and care for each other—one chore at a time.
Other Resources in Island County
To learn more about helpful resources available in Island County, visit Opportunity Council’s Island County Resource Center, located at 231 SE Barrington Dr. Suite 100, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. If you would like more information about services available through the Island County Resource Center or to make an appointment, please call (360) 679-6577 or click here to contact us online.
