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Our History and Growth
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"As a result of my desire to participate in pioneering efforts to serve people who often fall 'through the cracks,' I have been involved with Community Caregivers from the beginning. In this time of decreasing services, there is ever more need to do what we do."
"I have served on Caregivers' Board of Directors and Advisory Board, and I have presented programs that empower and encourage home caregivers to care for themselves and stay healthy in the midst of their own family demands and stresses. I am privileged to be part of this great organization."
- Ellen Howie, RN, Volunteer
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Community Caregivers was the brainchild of three Altamont residents: Joel Edwards, Vic Ross and Mary Therriault. Intrigued by the idea of parish nursing, they met monthly during 1994 to figure out how to implement the parish nurse concept in their community. Joel, Vic and Mary established Altamont Community Caregivers as a not-for-profit organization in 1995, and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant was awarded in that same year to support the project. Some additional grant support, along with generous time and money contributions from individuals and faith-based groups within the community, allowed Altamont Community Caregivers to build a volunteer pool and begin continuing service.
To reflect a desire to serve the larger community, Altamont Community Caregivers became Community Caregivers, Inc. on April 4, 2000. Though it had a new name, the organization’s mission remained the same: to provide services that enable individuals of all ages to maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life within their homes and communities.
Today, Community Caregivers offers home-based, non-clinical support services to residents across northwestern and central Albany County. Our service area has been expanded twice and hundreds of trained volunteers have provided caregiving services throughout the Townships of Berne, Bethlehem, Guilderland, Knox and New Scotland.
Community Caregivers is well-known among other agencies that serve our client population, and we have earned strong coalition and network support from area faith communities, civic organizations and town governments. Our proven ability to make a difference by lending neighbors a helping hand attracts grant funding from national and private foundations, and from government agencies.
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Our Basic Operating Philosophy
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"Recently, I fell and suffered two back fractures. I am still in awe of the kindness of others who came to my rescue. I was in pain and had to wear a back brace, and I could not lift, bend or drive."
"Community Caregivers sent a sympathetic nurse who was full of helpful information, and provided transportation to my doctors and dentist. They even arranged a Spring cleanup of my yard. I felt more connected to my local community than I ever had before!"
- Betty Slagle
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From the beginning, we have placed a high value on the “neighborly” reputation that Community Caregivers has earned. We treat our clients and volunteers like family, and this continues to be our agency’s daily emphasis.
Our organization is administered by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Board, whose members are leaders in the communities we serve. Day-to-day operations are managed by an Executive Director, who oversees the paid office staff.
A Client Intake Coordinator, who is also a Registered Nurse, is employed to visit and assess prospective clients before they can receive assistance. Likewise, existing clients may be reassessed as their needs change over time. This evaluation process ensures that individuals get the most suitable care for their current circumstances, whether they are aided solely by Community Caregivers or referred to other agencies for more appropriate service. Client assessment also protects our volunteers from unexpected situations and unacceptable environments.
Under the direction of a Program Director, our Program Assistant works with a team of volunteer coordinators to arrange for delivery of services to clients who have been assessed and approved. The volunteers who perform those services are recruited, trained and managed by our staff and by other volunteers. Just as we protect our volunteers by visiting and evaluating clients, we protect our clients by getting referrals and checking DMV records for our volunteers.
In order to minimize the number of paid employees, various Committees of the Board assume certain responsibilities associated with event coordination, volunteer education and appreciation, publicity, financial management and Board development.
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