Volunteer Programs

Ursuline Senior Services depends on the people of Allegheny County and the surrounding counties for help in providing high quality services to the aging adults in our communities. You can help by volunteering your time and talent in any number of ways. Ursuline offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Some involve working directly with our clients, while other volunteer opportunities are more behind the scenes in our office.

We can work with you to make your volunteer experience positive, enjoyable and hopefully, a long one. Please call 412-345-0144 x13 to find out just how far a little of your time will go in helping us!

Volunteer Opportunities Available

AARP Money Management

Ursuline Senior Services’ AARP Money Management Program, sponsored by the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, assists low-income elderly persons who have difficulty with their financial affairs and have problems maintaining their finances. This program matches trained volunteers with seniors that need help budgeting and assuring their bills are paid on time. The volunteers prepare bills for payment, assist with checking writing, and balance checkbooks. This dedicated core of volunteers provides a valuable service to seniors in need of financial assistance as well as much needed companionship on an ongoing basis. One of the core concepts of the program is to keep seniors financially independent while assuring that all their monthly obligations are met. The volunteers report their visits to the program director each month.

In some cases, the program director receives referrals from consumers and care givers about other assistance regarding financial matters. Many seniors who have contacted the Money Management Program for assistance are reaching out for guidance on complex financial matters that they cannot manage on their own. The program director meets these consumers one on one to assess their individual financial needs. If the consumer’s needs exceed what the Money Management Program is prepared to provide, she will help guide them to the appropriate agencies in Allegheny County that offer different types of assistance.

A large number of referrals have been victims of predatory lenders who prey on low-income seniors in need of home repairs. The frequent outcome for these seniors are home equity loans with very high interest rates that are virtually impossible to repay, leading to foreclosure or forcing the senior to make the decision to pay the exorbitant mortgage payment instead of buying food or paying utility bills. Many who call need guidance on credit card debt and bankruptcy issues, rescue loans, reverse mortgages, energy assistance programs, and welfare programs that may provide some financial relief.

This expansion to the traditional money management program services is another way Ursuline Senior Services attempts to assist low-income seniors who feel overwhelmed by their financial situation and are unsure where to turn. If you or someone you know need some guidance, or are in need of bill payer services, please call or email for more information.

For more information on AARP Money Management contact us at 412-224-4700 x13 or moneymanagement@ursulineseniors.org

Cart to Heart

The Cart to Heart volunteer shopping service enables homebound seniors to receive needed groceries on a regular schedule. The program matches local seniors who are in need of shopping with volunteers who want to make a difference in the life of a senior neighbor. This service assists seniors throughout Allegheny County and utilizes community volunteers. The program is always seeking interested volunteers to shop for qualifying seniors. Please contact us at 412-224-4700 ext. 13 for more information on becoming a volunteer shopper or a participant in the service.

Senior Reassurance

Senior Reassurance Program matches a volunteer caller with a senior who resides alone for the provision of a brief daily call to check on a senior's general well-being. These contacts also offer a much-needed respite from the isolation many seniors experience when they live alone. Calls are prearranged, and can provide emergency contact if necessary.

Call our Volunteer Programs Office at 412-224-4700 x13. We promote independence and create friendships that MAKE a lifetime.

Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support

Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support (GGC) volunteers provide support, education, create awareness and— in the process—instill hope in people who are grieving. Peer Support Volunteers and Organizational Support Volunteers are being recruited to work alongside staff at the GGC's location in Squirrel Hill. Volunteers at GGC have an opportunity to choose from a variety of volunteer opportunities.

For more information about volunteering at the Good Grief Center, please call GGC at 412.224.4700 or toll-free at 1.888.GRIEF.88. GGC may also be contacted via e-mail at support@goodgriefcenter.com or at the website www.goodgriefcenter.com. Please consider becoming a member of our team.

Office Support

Assist Ursuline Senior Services and its various programs with its office and program activities such as mailings, computer data entry, filing, emails, reception duties, and/or phone calls. Even if you don't possess computer skills, there are still activities you can do. If you have a good sense of humor and want to increase the agency's ability to serve those who rely on US start volunteering now. Training and perks are provided.