VOA launches Rainbow Respite Initiative

[Diane Cohn]

Hello Commissioners Kefalas, Stephens, and Shadduck-McNally,

 

The Volunteers of America Caring Companion Program has launched the Rainbow Respite Initiative. This initiative serves older LGBTQ+ adults and their caregivers. We will match LGBTQ+ volunteers or strong allies, with caregivers in LGBTQ+ families living at home, to provide weekly respite (break) for the caregiver and a safe, social visit for the person being cared for, at no cost. Caregivers, participants, and volunteers self-select into this program, and volunteers receive specialized training prior to being matched.

Why are we doing this? LGBTQ+ older adults become caregivers at a higher rate than the general population, and LGBTQ+ older adults are 5 times less likely to seek medical or social supports.  

Please help us reach this underserved population by sharing out the attached Rainbow Respite flyer with your network and helping us spread the word! Let us know if you have any questions.

 

Thank you,

 

 

Diane Cohn
Supervisor, Caregiver Support/Caring Companion Program
Northern Colorado Services
405 Canyon Avenue • Fort Collins, CO 80521
Main Office: 970-472-9630
Direct Office Phone: 970-658-3188

 

Pronouns: she/her (what’s this?)

 

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[John Kefalas]

Hello Diane,

Thank you for sharing this information about the VOA Rainbow Respite Initiative, and I am glad you are launching this caregiver program. Is there a social media post that we could send out?

	John Kefalas County Commissioner, District 1
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 W: (970) 498-7001 Cell:  (720) 254-7598 jkef...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org