The individual efforts of a few can sometimes change the lives of many. That is the mission of It Takes A Village.
The non-profit organization is made up solely of volunteers seeking to help seniors in the Moorestown area.
“We seek to help those who have no other place to turn,” Trudi Herman, founder of It Takes a Village, said. “Many seniors don’t have family and friends to help them with their day-to-day activities, so we try to give them the assistance they need.”
The free services the organization offers are quite extensive, ranging from grocery shopping to doctor’s appointments, but the organization is flexible in offering whatever services it can.
“A lot of seniors can’t afford to move into a 55 and over community,” Herman said. “And with limited funds and mobility, it is very difficult for them to get to places or hire caregivers to help them.”
It is not just about providing services to seniors, though, according to Herman. It Takes A Village strives to add a personal aspect to the work.
“We don’t want to be a delivery and driving service,” Herman said. “It’s about more than just dropping off a bag of groceries. We give seniors someone to talk to and spend time with. We want to create personal relationships for those who don’t have anyone else in their lives.”
Each volunteer of It Takes A Village is assigned a single client. This allows the volunteers to get involved in the lives of the clients, to get to know them on a personal level.
“It’s wonderful getting to know the person you’re caring for,” volunteer Cheryl Coates said. “You get the chance to build a relationship with the person. It feels good to help someone you know doesn’t have the means to do it themselves. Sometimes it’s not even about providing services. There are times when I just go over to sit and talk with my client.”
There are 55 operating Villages in the U.S. The organizations all seek to provide the same services and personal touch of the New Jersey branch and to influence others to get involved.
“We hope to continue to see more Villages pop up,” Herman said. “The cost of living continues to rise, and seniors need our help more than ever. We are always looking for more volunteers to get involved.”
It Take A Village services Cinnaminson, Delran, Hainesport, Maple Shade, Moorestown and Mt. Laurel.
