SourcePoint’s board of directors has approved funding for 21 programs serving older adults in Delaware County.
The programs, managed by 17 nonprofit organizations in Delaware County, will receive a total of $716,965.45. Funding for grants is provided by the local senior services levy.
Those receiving grants are:
• The Alpha Group: $4,500 to support participation dues for those 55 and older involved with adult day programming.
• Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio: $54,148 to provide supportive services, including the Day Out Club, a 24/7 support line, and home consultations to individuals facing Alzheimer’s or a related dementia diagnosis and their caregivers.
• Catholic Social Services: $36,663 to support the Senior Companion Program, which helps prevent social isolation among homebound older adults in Delaware County; and $23,293 to support the Friendly Visitor Program, which does not restrict volunteers based on age or income level, allowing more isolated older adults in the county to be served.
• Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging: $10,000 to support the Volunteer Guardianship Program.
• Common Ground Free Store: $5,000 to support general operating expenses for the agency, which provides food, clothing and household items to residents of all ages in Delaware County.
• Delaware Area Transit Agency (DATA): $201,168 to support the local public transportation organization in Delaware County, which allows older adults to ride buses on fixed routes at a reduced cost; SourcePoint will also continue to support DATA through the “Bus Bucks” program, allocating up to $96,000 in 2016 to continue providing demand response to those unable to utilize DATA’s fixed routes.
• Delaware County Juvenile Court: $9,040 to provide financial support for supervisors of the Delaware County Juvenile Court suspension alternative program, which offers community service by completing various outdoor chores for older adults; and $8,200 to provide funding for the guardianship monitoring program to provide better oversight to the non-familial guardians responsible for the most vulnerable of the population.
• Delaware General Health District: $10,000 to provide continued support for the evidence-based falls prevention program, Matter of Balance, for Delaware County older adults.
• Delaware Speech and Hearing Center: $77,132 to expand and enhance direct hearing and speech health services and resources to older adults and their families.
• Drug-Free Delaware Coalition: $5,060 to support the pilot of a new evidence-based program, WISE (Wellness Initiative for Senior Education), which is designed to decrease the likelihood of drug abuse, misuse and/or alcoholism among older adults.
• Employment for Seniors: $9,770 to improve resources available to older adults seeking employment opportunities.
• HelpLine of Delaware & Morrow Counties: $55,903 to operate Connections Volunteer Center; and $37,158.45 for the Senior Companion program site management and supervision of companions.
• The Legal Aid Society of Columbus: $6,000 to support low-cost legal assistance to older adults in Delaware County.
• Lutheran Social Services: $20,000 to support the direct purchase of food for those over 60.
• National Church Residences Center for Senior Health: $103,230 for capital improvements to the Center for Senior Health Willow Brook location; and $20,700 to support adult day care adjunctive therapies not traditionally covered by insurance, such as creative arts, music, massage/reflexology, yoga and tai chi.
• The Ohio Health Foundation: $10,000 to support the Driver Rehabilitation for Instruction and Vehicle Education program.
• People In Need: $10,000 to provide emergency financial assistance to older adults for prescription assistance, utility assistance, rent assistance and other needs.
SourcePoint helps fund existing programs in the county as a cost-effective and efficient way to address the various and growing needs of local senior citizens. Each year, SourcePoint’s board reviews grant applications and awards funding to those organizations that provide the most effectual services.
