Burbank’s Project Hope to lend seniors a helping hand during shelter-in-place orders
Burbank is looking to help its senior population as the public is being asked to stay at home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
While most people are able to leave their homes to purchase food and supplies during the public health crisis, many of Burbank’s elderly citizens risk serious health consequences if they leave their homes.
That’s where Burbank’s Project Hope comes in. The free volunteer program managed by the Parks and Recreation Department has been around for several years and was created to assist seniors with getting their chores done. It also offers social companionship.
Erin Barrows, the recreation services manager who oversees Burbank’s senior services, explained that volunteers are paired with homebound seniors who are interested in participating in the program.
The program has been modified to best meet current needs during the crisis. Volunteers can still get groceries and medication for the person they are paired with, however social interactions are being limited to phone call check-ins instead of face-to-face visits due to social distancing orders from health officials.
Most of the volunteers who were participating with Project Hope were other seniors, but since that segment of the population is advised to stay indoors, parks and recreation officials have spent the past week trying to solicit help from younger volunteers. So far, many have heeded the call, said Lacey Cabrera, the senior recreation leader for Burbank.
“There’s been a huge outpouring from the community and a lot of people want to help,” she said. “Right now I’m trying to get these interested volunteers registered with our program and I’ll start pairing them off with seniors that are in need.”
Currently there are about 40 people signed up to volunteer for the program, however Cabrera said there are only about 11 seniors who have so far shown interest in participating.
There are estimated to be more than 15,000 people over 65 years old living in Burbank, according to a May 2019 report from the Southern California Assn. of Governments.
“As time goes on and we get deeper into the situation, a lot more seniors are going to reach out,” Cabrera said.
People interested in becoming a volunteer are required to undergo a background check, but Barrows said they are unable to do medical clearances. Volunteers who are cleared for the program will be given gloves, and if available during these times of rampant shortages across the nation, masks and hand sanitizer.
Barrows and Cabrera said they hope to get the program up and running as early as next week.
“Our seniors don’t want to lose their independence, but they understand that they need to be inside during this time,” Barrows said.
To sign up for Project Hope either as a volunteer or a senior in need, call (818) 238-5370 or email BVP@burbankca.gov.
