STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: All of Macomb County and parts of Oakland and St. Clair Counties in Southeast Michigan. Some services may extend across county lines depending on volunteer availability.

CLIENTS SERVED: Adults age 18+ who live in their own home or apartment, and are unable to perform needed tasks because of disability or frailty and cannot obtain the help through family, paid services, or other programs.

DESCRIPTION: IVC is a nonprofit volunteer-caregiving organization that matches trained volunteers with older and disabled adults who need assistance to remain safely and independently in their homes. Services are provided at no charge. This is not an on-call service and assistance may take anywhere from several days to several months depending on the request and volunteer availability.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS:

• Transportation: Door-to-door, round-trip transportation for medical appointments, errands, shopping, and social activities. Volunteers can provide minimal physical assistance with wheelchairs or walkers.
• Errands, Shopping & Deliveries: Volunteers can pick up and deliver items for people who cannot travel themselves.
• Minor Home Repairs: IVC does not perform licensed work or extensive repairs, and the client is responsible for materials. Applicant is responsible for supplies needed.
• Indoor Chores: Small routine household chores (sweeping, vacuuming, washing dishes, laundry, etc) and larger volunteer group projects. Applicant is responsible for supplies needed.
• Outdoor Chores: Weeding, raking leaves, trimming shrubs, etc (not including cutting grass or shoveling snow). Applicant is responsible for supplies needed.
• Housekeeping: Light housekeeping, meal preparation, occasional larger projects.
• Respite Care: Occasional or ongoing breaks for full-time family caregivers. Respite is not hands-on personal care such as bathing, dressing, or feeding.
• Friendly Visits: One-on-one volunteer visits and social outings for people experiencing isolation or loneliness.
• Hair Care for Homebound Residents: Volunteer-provided haircuts and other basic hair services for people unable to leave home.
• Other Special Requests: IVC may consider other requests and can organize volunteer groups for larger projects.

HOW TO APPLY: Call IVC at 586-757-5551, Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. A staff member will complete a First Time Request form by phone. IVC then attempts to match the person with an available volunteer. If IVC cannot provide the requested service, staff will try to refer the person to another appropriate agency.