Coming Home Connection Needs You!
Get Involved
We are a community-based organization that is funded by grants from numerous foundations and the the Community Health Funders Alliance, generous individuals (see our Partners page) and a contract with the City of Santa Fe. We are able to create a “community of care” through the kindness of our professionals and volunteers who give the gift of their time. Our volunteers do everything from organizing our Medical Equipment storage space, to serving as companions for elders who can’t afford to pay for home care. Other community members may lack the time or skills to offer hands-on care, but are to able to donate financially. Be part of this village that works together so that no member of the community is left without loving support when they need it.
Donate Time
Do you have business management skills that are applicable to managing this small non-profit organization? Consider a role on our Board!
Are you a champion organizer who could donate a few hours once, or once a month? The Equipment Storage space (see below) needs you!
Are you a natural nurturer with a desire to help an elder of limited means? Consider being a Volunteer Companion. And if you are 55 or older, you can sign up through the Santa Fe RSVP program to receive free training, ancillary insurance and reimbursement for mileage! Click here to learn more about the RSVP program.
Volunteer Companions
You can make a tremendous difference in the life of an older adult in Santa Fe by becoming a Volunteer Companion. Coming Home Connection will match you with someone who enjoys the things you enjoy such as a good book, cooking a few meals, getting outdoors for some fresh air and conversation, etc. Companions spend a few hours a month building a friendship with a client and giving them a little extra support. Here are some of the services you might be able to offer:
- Reading, playing board games, watching a movie together
- Keeping company with a person while their caregiver takes some time away
- Assisting with shopping and errands
- Preparing a meal preparation, baking, sharing a family recipe
- Providing transportation to a doctor’s appointment
- Giving a pet some needed attention or exercise
- Lending a hand with paperwork
- Helping someone spend some time outdoors
Donate Equipment
Perhaps you or a member of your family just went through a convalescence at home after surgery. You may have medical equipment you no longer need that would be tremendously helpful to another family going through the same experience. Call us to make an appointment to bring your clean and functional equipment (commode; shower chair; bed rails; wheelchair; walker; etc.) to our storage space in the Design Center. They will be loaned, for free, to anyone who needs them. We will also be grateful for any monetary donations to continue to make this much-appreciated service available.
Become a Caregiver
A professional caregiver may offer a client any or all of the services listed under “Donate Time”, above. In addition, they may provide more intimate care, including transfers, bathing and assistance in toileting.
If this is a profession that calls you — or if you are currently a professional caregiver and would like to explore the Coming Home Connection model — please visit our Caregiver page to familiarize yourself with the process of orientation and training to become a CHC caregiver. We welcome your interest!
Volunteer Stories
Karli Wheeler was shopping for furniture at one of our neighbor businesses in the Design Center one February day in 2018 when she noticed our sign upstairs, and stopped in to learn what we did at Coming Home Connection. Having recently nursed both parents through their dying process, she felt an instant connection with our work. She dove into getting our website up and running, while volunteering her exceptional skills as a death doula for several hospice clients. One hospice case was in the home of undocumented immigrants; they lacked the most basic furniture, including a bed for the devoted husband and full-time caretaker of the client. Karli took steps to furnish their apartment. When Casa Cielo was slated to open in the summer of 2019, she furnished our hospice residence with such grace and comfort that everyone who enters immediately feels at home.
Karli and her partner will soon be leaving Santa Fe, going home to Hawaii. As a parting gift to Coming Home Connection, Karli made us a generous donation of stock.
We are so grateful for Karli’s contributions to Coming Home Connection.
