The demand grows for Warwick's Friendly Visitor program

By Linda Smith Hancharick
WARWICK – Closing in on its second full year in existence, the Town of Warwick’s Friendly Visitor program is one of the largest of its kind in Orange County, serving 110 senior citizens and disabled individuals. And the demand is growing.
Vince Copello is a former chairperson of the Orange County Office for the Aging and resident of Warwick. He was approached by a colleague about getting a Friendly Visitor program started In the Town of Warwick. Copello said he did some homework to find out just what the program entailed. He was very pleased with what he found and decided he would take the idea to the town supervisor and board.
“After I did the homework and liked the program, I went to (Supervisor) Mike Sweeton,” said Copello. “We have 32,000 residents in the Town of Warwick. A quarter of them – 8,000 – are senior citizens. There is a need for this program.”
That was nearly three years ago, back in 2016. By the end of that year, he got the go-ahead from the town, put together a board representing all areas of the town and hit the ground running, launching the Warwick program in May 2017.
“This works really well,” said Copello. “The program’s goal is to allow people who need some services to stay in their homes. For example, some need transportation to their doctor appointments; others need some help with grocery shopping. Still others need a home visit and some clerical support or companionship.”
But the need is growing, Copello said. Currently there are 110 people requesting services and 60 volunteers.
“We want a one-to-one ratio and currently we have 60 volunteers so we need more,” he said.
In the calendar year 2018, 1,968 volunteer services were provided by Friendly Visitors.
Here’s how it worksThe neighbors contact the program, which is run out of the Warwick Town Hall on Kings Highway, and let the coordinator, Jean Corbi Ciabba, know what services they need or desire. For some, it’s a one-time trip to the doctor. For others, it’s a weekly trip to the supermarket or to run some errands.
“Some people just want some companionship,” said Copello, “so our visitor will play a game or make a call or read to them.”
Volunteers contact Corbi Ciabba and let her know what services they are able to provide and for how long each week. The program does a background check and then Corbi Ciabba works her magic and matches volunteers with neighbors.
All volunteers attend a free training session, which are offered for new volunteers every other month at the Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick. The next training is on Monday, March 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“I’ve met some marvelous people,” said Corbi Ciabba, a volunteer with the program before being appointed to the coordinator’s position by the town board in January. “Everyone has a story.”
Teaching by exampleCorbi Ciabba talked of Denise White, a mom who is leading by example. Along with her 11-year-old and 13-year-old children, each week she brings a 97-year-old neighbor food shopping. “She is leading by example,” said Corbi Ciabba, “which is the best way to teach our children.”
This neighbor heads to the supermarket whenever she can with her Friendly Visitors. There are others who aren’t as mobile and instead stay home waiting for their visitor to do the shopping for them.
“Dial-A-Bus isn’t always an option for people,” said Corbi Ciabba. “This lets people stay in their homes longer and gives them their dignity.”
“This program complements Dial-A-Bus,” said Copello.
Corbi Ciabba had recently retired when she found the Friendly Visitor program.
“I decided I needed purpose still so I figured I’d do this,” she said.
Get the word outCopello gets the word out through various mediums. You can hear him talking about the program on local radio, at senior citizen club meetings, through local church bulletins and at village government meetings. Just last week, he presented at the Village of Greenwood Lake meeting. He has upcoming presentations scheduled in the Village of Florida and at the Village of Warwick.
“This program is an important one,” added Copello. “Without these volunteers, many of our residents would go to assisted living or a nursing home. People are making a difference in others’ lives.”