Telephone check-in offers help

DEERFIELD VALLEY- In response to the pain and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Whitingham-Halifax Lions Club is initiating a telephone check-in program called Neighbors Connect. Meg Staloff, who created the program, was inspired by the social concept of mutual aid, in which members of a community reach out to support each other.
The current pandemic is unique in that people are being asked to keep away from each other, at a time when everyone most needs comfort and support. Because of this “social distancing” policy, Staloff has designed the Neighbors Connect program as a telephone and texting outreach. Instead of in-person visits, volunteers will check in with neighbors who are isolated or at risk due to age, health, economic or other challenges. In addition to offering the comfort of a sympathetic ear, volunteers will have a list of practical resources that can help connect people to food, health care, sobriety and mental health resources, and senior services.
Members of the local Lions and Rotary clubs have been working together to get Neighbors Connect up and running, with teams in Dover, Whitingham, Wilmington, and Halifax.Training sessions for Neighbors Connect will be offered online.
To volunteer or to request a check-in call contact Staloff at meg@staloff.org or call (802) 368-2020 or (802) 464-8310.