Volunteers needed to help older adults, people with disabilities

Opportunities available to suit varied interests, times

YORKTOWN – Looking for a great volunteer opportunity that can directly help aging adults and people with disabilities who need help remaining independent?

If so, then the LifeStreamAngelWorx volunteer program is exactly what you need, says Laura Bray, new volunteer program administrator. LifeStream is the Aging and Disability Resource Center in East Central Indiana that touches the lives of almost 30,000 people a year who need services, programs and information. The nonprofit agency’s mission is “to improve the quality of life for people at risk of losing their independence.”

Volunteers are particularly needed in the following areas:

  • Senior Café food service – Volunteers help heat and serve meals at 11 Senior Cafes in East Central Indiana. As of July 1, all Cafes are staffed with volunteers. “We particularly could use some more help in Portland, Muncie and Anderson locations,” Bray said. “We are grateful to the 26 volunteers who are already serving meals at our Senior Cafes.”
  • Interns – LifeStream hosts several interns from area universities and colleges each semester in care management, administration and other areas. LifeStream is launching a new intern program for those students interested in a food service career as well.
  • Board and advisory groups – Four boards and several advisory groups provide volunteers with opportunities for those interested in governance or being in an advisory role.
  • Administrative – Volunteers in this area help out at LifeStream’s headquarters in Yorktown or in the agency’s five other satellite offices.
  • Special Events – These opportunities include the annual Aging Well event and Legends Golf Outing in May, Safe at Home safety program in the fall or other community or one-time events.
  • AngelWish – This program provides holiday gifts to people who are often overlooked when it comes to receiving presents at the holidays. In Randolph and Henry counties, the AngelWish volunteer group provides Christmas in July to those in need. Plus there are opportunities to help with the general AngelWish program in November and December.
  • Wellness programs – Volunteers assist with the Chronic-Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP) and other wellness activities throughout the year.

All volunteers fill out an application, undergo a background check and have a formal orientation about LifeStream and the agency’s various programs.

“We are so fortunate to have great volunteers,” Bray said. “We absolutely could not do all we do to help aging adults and people with disabilities without their help.”

Volunteers also contribute in another way: Time spent by volunteers is often used to provide match hours that equate to dollars toward match funding. “So they not only provide direct help to those in need, their time is also a benefit on a whole other level,” she said.

To learn more about the program, call Bray at (800) 589-1121 or (765) 759-1121 or email her at .

LifeStream is the local Aging and Disability Resource Center for East Central Indiana. The agency’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people at risk of losing their independence. Services include care management, transportation, in-home care, Senior Cafes and home-delivered meal programs, guardianships, caregiver support, information and assistance, housing, volunteer opportunities and more.

For more about the volunteer program is also available by visiting