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VOLUNTEERS
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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the face of drastic budget cuts and losses in funding, PSGDC is making
creative use of volunteers-they go far beyond stuffing envelopes,
and provide concrete and valuable services. On March 18, eight students on spring break from Grinnell College in Iowa began a one-week service project at Park Slope Geriatric Center. The students had several projects-some did research for a Brooklyn Caregivers Resource Manual, others produced, directed and created a video of interviews with seniors at the Center. On April 9th, seven volunteers from the Junior League of Brooklyn began cataloging the books, articles and videotapes that will form the nucleus of a Caregivers Resource Library open to all Brooklyn families. In addition, they are continuing the research initiated by the Grinnell students so that PSGDC can publish the "Brooklyn Caregivers Resource Manual." Losses in city and state funding have cut the Park Slope Geriatric Center's budget by $120,000-approximately 15% of it's income. In addition, one of the after-effects of September 11th has been an enormous increase in insurance expenses for the transportation program. Previously, insurance cost $30,000 annually. The same level of insurance now costs $110,000! To cope with such losses in funding, the PSGDC is seeking capable volunteers. In addition to working on the library and resource guide, we are hoping to identify a weaver who can work with frail seniors to revive what was once an exceptional weaving program. We eagerly seek musicians and singers who are willing to perform with the seniors. Anyone who has skills to share should call Phillip Bentley at (718) 499-7701. "The students who spent their first week of spring break with us had a wonderful time," said Executive Director Marianne Nicolosi, "and we truly appreciated their efforts! They did a great job, and we were so proud that they came all the way from Iowa to work with us."
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