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Volunteer opportunities at VNA
Contact: 724-463-6340
Volunteers are an integral part of the VNA of Indiana County. Each and every volunteer is considered a valued member of our family. Volunteers are men and women of all walks of life with a compelling interest in helping others and giving back to their community. VNA offers several ways to volunteer in our home health, hospice and palliative care and community programs.
VNA Family Hospice Volunteers
Patient Care volunteers have direct patient contact and focus on the needs of hospice patients and family members. The volunteers are supportive, empathetic and thoroughly trained to work with patient’s that have life limiting illnesses. They may provide respite for the family, run errands, shopping, prepare meals, household tasks, read to patients, provide support with a listening ear, encourage the patient to tell their life story, write letters, or play a board game. A volunteer can expect to spend two to four hours a week. Hospice Volunteers are provided with 20 hours of orientation and training, as well as monthly updates, continuing education, and professional support.
Hospice Bereavement Volunteers follow the patients loved ones for 13 months after the death providing grief support. They listen, and offer comfort and caring support. The bereavement volunteers meet one evening a month to call on family members and loved ones. This position requires the same training and continuing education as the hands on Hospice Volunteer.

Hopeful Hearts Volunteers work with children in a special bereavement program for families who grieve the loss of a loved one. While there is no specific education or experience requirement to becoming a volunteer, characteristics such as a love for working with children and a desire to help them through their grief are essential traits. Volunteer duties include: peer support group facilitators, family greeters, food servers, special projects and office assistants. All volunteers are required to attend the comprehensive training program offered by Hopeful Hearts staff and will be screened with the appropriate clearances for working with children.
www.hopefulheartspa.org
or call 724-349-3888

CareNet Volunteers offer practical services by providing conversation, friendly visiting, errands, telephone reassurance, shopping, and reading mail. This program does not include housekeeping, personal care or medication management, but socialization and friendly relationships to help individuals remain connected to their community. Volunteers enhance the care provided by family members, nurses, home health aides and caregivers. Volunteers are screened, educated and recieve ongoing support. Visits average an hour a week.
Community Skills Volunteers work on special events and community outreach programs such as the VNA Family Hospice Butterfly Release, health fairs and community education programs. These opportunities require just a few hours of time, and can sometimes be accomplished by a service club or as a group project.
Office Support Volunteers provide a wide variety of clerical and administrative work, fundraising, marketing, and community awareness with no patient contact required.
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