*Eligible Project CHORE Camden teenagers help senior citizens with basic household chores which they can no longer do for themselves. Project CHORE helps the seniors continue to live in their homes with comfort and dignity, and it helps teens earn spending money.
*Frail elderly people are often forced to go into nursing homes because they can longer do household cleaning and make the minor repairs that are essential to independent living. Respond, Inc. has recognized these needs as opportunities and out of them has created a win-win situation. Seniors win because they get the assistance they need. Teens win because they get the opportunity for community service.
*Teens work in supervised job teams after school three hours each day and during summer vacations. By following a two-week visitation cycle, they provide assistance to more than 75 seniors in their homes. A Respond, Inc. on-site supervisor acts as mentor and provides on-the-job training thus enabling teens to develop their job skills. Sensitivity training provides a new perspective on aging to the teen employees.
*Positive personal relationships, mutual respect, and genuine affection often develop between seniors and teens. The bi-weekly visits provide valuable companionship to the seniors and give the teens living windows on history they might not otherwise experience, so both groups benefit from the interaction.
*Through this very special program Respond, Inc. has been able to provide material support for seniors while at the same time providing teens with the opportunity to learn the social skills of relating effectively with elders and job supervisors. The program helps seniors to maintain independent living, and it allows teens to develop skills they will need for success in the adult world.