Photo courtesy of Open Your Hear to a Senior website
The above image shows senior citizens in our area who request assistance.

By Kristin Douty

The location chart of seniors in need of assistance is growing, especially in central Pittsburgh areas like the Northside.

United Way launched the program to serve the social and household needs of seniors in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

Whether a senior needs help with gardening, or a weekly visitor for company, the Open Your Heart to a Senior Program always needs volunteers.

The program assists seniors with a wide range of tasks, including health needs like grocery shopping and trips to the doctor’s office, to social needs like a daily phone call or weekly visit.

No experience is necessary – all volunteers receive orientation training at various locations in Pittsburgh. The training sessions occur every month, as posted on the website.

The types of training also vary according to the volunteer’s service and time commitment. For example, office assistance at the Allegheny headquarters requires a three-hour weekly time commitment while snow shoveling is a seasonal commitment and weather-dependent.

The next orientation session will be held at the Eat n’ Park in the Waterworks Mall on 839 Freeport Road at 10:30 a.m. on March 6, organized by Kerry Keegan Mulhern. To attend the session and any future sessions, register online in advance.

If you are interested in volunteering in Allegheny County, apply online by clicking here, or contact the main office at 412-307-0071.