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The mission of Kirkwood’s Adopt-A-Senior Program (KASP) is to increase the well-being and safety of Kirkwood’s older adults and neighbors experiencing physical challenges through the support of their neighbors and local service organizations.
WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOVLED!
Volunteer
Being a volunteer-run program, KASP is always looking for volunteers to forward its mission. If a desire to improve the well-being of aging adults in the Kirkwood community, availability, and/or a specialized skill and resources - let us know by emailing adoptasenior@historickirkwood.org
How the KASP’s Matching Program Works
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Interested volunteers complete a volunteer application;
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Participate in a two-hour training;
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Approved volunteers (individuals, couples or even families) are matched with an aging adult enrolled in KASP;
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Volunteers perform weekly check-ins to assess the needs of their KASP match and provide them with companionship or practical support;
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Volunteers communicate the needs of their match to see that their basic needs are met
Email adoptasenior@historickirkwood.org to learn more or get involved!
KASP Supporters
Kirkwood Unified Church of Christ
History and Motivation
Kirkwood has built a strong sense of social solidarity (interdependence between individuals in a community) over the past century. The neighborhood desires to be a source of strength to our elderly and physically challenged neighbors in a time of tremendous uncertainty and need.
We recognize that a community depends on social solidarity to thrive. Typically, this solidarity may be communicated and facilitated through the work of single individuals, from church programs, from visiting family, or social programs. When the Covid-19 pandemic limited these existing sources of support, a need for the community to support the well-being of our elderly and physically challenged neighbors emerged. Our elderly neighbors are particularly challenged because they are at even higher risk from the virus. In response, a group of compassionate residents stepped forward and established Kirkwood Adopt a Senior Program (KASP).
The mission of KASP is to ensure Kirkwood’s elderly and physically challenged neighbors are not forgotten. Since March 2020, KASP has matched dozens of seniors one-on-one with caring neighbors. The neighborhood volunteers advocate on their behalf to fulfill their basic needs and link them to other essential community resources.
Beyond the pandemic, the desire to connect neighbor-to-neighbor has been expressed within the community. Though made imperative during the pandemic, KASP’s vision is to establish and maintain partnerships with existing community-based service providers to ensure Kirkwood’s most vulnerable receive the support and community connection they deserve.
Follow KASP on Instagram!
Follow us on Instagram @kirkwoodadoptasenior
