Program Highlight:  Neighbor Brigade

 

Communities are coming together to support their neighbors in need by joining a program called Neighbor Brigade. Neighbor Brigade is a volunteer network that supports neighbors who are faced with a temporary crisis (such as due to a health concern, accident, high-risk pregnancy or birth, injury or death in the family), by offering a helping hand to do chores, errands and other day-to-day tasks.

Neighbor Brigade Founder and Executive Director, Pam Washek, explained that the program was inspired by the generosity and support from neighbors she and a close friend received after both being diagnosed with cancer. Washek created Neighbor Brigade in 2010 to bring a similar sense of community to other cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.

There are many people in need of assistance who are without friends and family able to help. Many cancer patients in particular become ill quickly and tasks they were once able to accomplish on their own quickly become difficult. Neighbor Brigade volunteers can assist in making it easier for caregivers and their loved ones to get to work and get their kids to school. Volunteers can help with a variety of tasks including grocery shopping, meal delivery, car pooling, light house/yard work, and dog walking. In just a couple of hours from receiving a call for help, a family can have needed tasks in place for several weeks. There are no income or age requirements for participation.

The knowledge that volunteers are local community members creates a sense of trust – that those volunteering may be someone the patient knows or even a neighbor. But volunteers and recipients are asked to sign liability releases for contact specific- activities such as providing transportation, dog walking, etc.

The vision of Neighbor Brigade is that it could be in every community, giving people the opportunity to help in a small way, but collectively make a big difference. Neighbor Brigade appeals to the person who wants to assist their community but may not have time for traditional community service. Washek estimates that the time commitment of a chapter leader is only one hour per week. Neighbor Brigade provides the organizational processes and tools to easily build and sustain a successful chapter.

Each participating city/town has a chapter leader whom is the main contact for patients in need of support. Communties with active chapters are listed on the Neighbor Brigade website.

More Information

See the website:   http://www.neighborbrigade.org/ .

 

 

7/11, rev 7/17