Home Help & Homemaking – Brokered Helpers
Community Care offers a listing of individuals who provide assistance with household activities, such as light housekeeping, meal preparation and shopping. Referrals are made to brokered helpers registered with the agency and arrangements for service and payment are made directly between the brokered helper and individual requiring assistance
Seasonal Helpers for Home Cleanup Sought
The need for help around the home tends to increase in the autumn and winter seasons, and Community Care hopes to connect residents with the assistance they seek.
The agency is presently recruiting for its brokered helpers programs. The service is designed to match residents with people who could perform tasks such as light yard work, snow clearing and other seasonal maintenance chores.
“At this time of year, we have a definite need to get more brokered helpers registered in our database, as many residents will be calling the agency to inquire about people who can clear snow or help with yard work,” says Joan Skelton, Director of Community Support Services for Community Care.
The agency acts as the broker between helpers and clients who contact Community Care to inquire about getting assistance. The agency offers a listing of individuals who provide assistance with home maintenance and repair. Brokered helpers must be registered with the agency and arrangements for service and payment are made directly between the brokered helper and individual requiring assistance. Brokered helpers wishing to register with Community Care will be screened with an interview and reference checks, and must also provide a current police check from the Vulnerable Sector Search.
“Acting as the broker, our agency screens and refers,” Ms Skelton says. “If people contact our agency with a request for some help around the home, we will refer a registered broker helper if the work that the helper does fits with the client.” Rates are to be negotiated between the client and the brokered helper.
Help is currently required throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes, but particularly in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls and Lindsay. Anyone interested in contacting Community Care about registering as a brokered helper can discuss the program further with Volunteer Services Co-ordinator Eileen MacCormack at 705-324-7323 ext 163, or e-mail at emaccormack@community-care.on.ca.
