As part of my senior capstone project, I spearhead a charitable gift-giving drive aimed at providing a meaningful and positive impact on the lives of seniors. Through my project, I aim to delve into the influence of gift-giving and kindness on the aging population while addressing the following question: How might I leverage my network to collaborate with various community services in the fight against poverty among seniors? I am particularly drawn to enriching the lives of local seniors since they often confront unique challenges, such as social isolation and limited mobility, despite their significant contributions to society. Although I am a full-time employee, college student, and parent of young children, I remain committed to making a difference by donating essential items to those in need.
I am a Resident Services Coordinator at AHEAD, managing five apartment buildings funded by HUD. These buildings offer affordable housing to low-income families, seniors, and adults with disabilities. One of the five properties is non-subsidized and requires tenants to pay the total market rent. However, this property is still classified as affordable and accepts families who make it above the federal poverty limit. On the other hand, the remaining four properties are low-income and provide housing to older people and adults with disabilities.
As a coordinator, I welcome new residents and introduce them to our resident services program. I assist them in connecting with local resources, applying for community services, and completing their annual recertification paperwork. HUD uses this paperwork to determine the new rent for residents based on their income. To be eligible to reside in our properties, tenants must live at or below the federal poverty level.
Most of the seniors I serve rely on social security and do not have any savings or retirement plans. As a result, they live off an average of $1,200 or less monthly. Providing affordable housing options to these seniors and other low-income individuals is essential. I take pride in being part of an organization that helps improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Last week, I emailed my boss about my plan for a holiday gift drive, and I received approval to conduct it at two different properties. I also created a survey to distribute to the residents at those sites to understand their preferences and needs better. The survey will allow me to assess their current needs and help them make specific requests for selected items. I plan to distribute the surveys in my monthly newsletters during the first week of October. To encourage participation, I will offer an incentive to tenants who submit their surveys to me by Friday, October 20. All residents who submit their surveys will be entered into a drawing to win a $10 Walmart gift card. I will put the names of each participant into a hat, and a tenant will pick the winning gift card recipient.
To create a successful senior gift-giving drive, consider the following steps:
Step 1: Develop a comprehensive survey that identifies the specific needs of elderly residents in your community. Along with the survey, develop a positive incentive to encourage tenants to participate and submit the survey promptly. Establish a deadline for collecting responses and communicate the deadline clearly to all residents. (I have already completed the first step. I will distribute surveys during the week of October 2, and I have set a deadline of Friday, October 20. Those tenants who respond to the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $10 Walmart gift card.)
Step 2: Distribute the survey to all the residents in the community. In addition, contact local organizations and businesses to inform them of the project and encourage them to participate. I will email the Family Resource Center, Servicelink, United Way, the North Country Health Cortium, and Walmart about my project and ask them for donations. Furthermore, I will let them know how their contributions can make a difference in the lives of the seniors in the community.
Step 3: Once the survey results are in, share them with the local organizations that can donate goods to seniors in need. This could include blankets, toiletries, or even non-perishable food items.
Step 4: In coordination with the organizations that have agreed to donate, arrange for drop-offs to collect the items for the seniors. Ensure the logistics are well-planned and the drop-off locations and times are communicated clearly to all parties involved. I aim to collect everything in my office by Monday, November 20th.
Step 5: Once the items have been collected, sort them according to their categories and distribute them to the appropriate seniors. Ensure that the distribution is done fairly and equitably and that everyone who needs help gets the required assistance. I plan to deliver all the items to tenants on December 4th.
Step 6: After completing the gift-giving drive, send thank-you notes to all the organizations and businesses that contributed to the project. Let them know how much their support was appreciated and how much of a difference their contributions made in the lives of the seniors in the community.
Step 7: As the deadline for my capstone project approaches, I am working hard to ensure that my project description is well-researched, comprehensive, and articulated. I aim to submit the first draft of my project as a detailed paper on Friday, December 8th. The final version of my paper and a well-prepared presentation will be ready on Friday, December 15th. Once completed, I will make the paper available on my Eport as a page for all interested parties to view.
As part of my capstone project, I plan to create detailed posts on my EPort to showcase my progress. To provide a comprehensive picture of my work, I will dedicate a page on my EPort to upload the resident needs survey and all the emails I send to local organizations seeking their support. Moreover, I plan to take pictures of myself sorting and delivering the items, which I will use to create an engaging visual representation of my efforts. Lastly, I will write a paper that reflects on the challenges I faced while planning and organizing the gift-giving drive and share my thoughts on what I learned from the entire experience.
My academic focus during my degree program has been on families’ intricate growth and development processes. To better understand the effects of aging, I have completed and gained valuable knowledge from several courses, such as Human Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I, Foundations of Diversity, Human Growth and Development, Oral Communication, and Social and Behavioral Health Psychology. This comprehensive understanding of human development and social determinants of health will be an essential resource in planning and executing my senior gift-giving project.
I will measure the success of my project by utilizing the valuable insights gathered from the resident needs survey and leveraging my networking skills to procure and distribute essential items to senior citizens efficiently. I aim to ensure that the seniors receive the required assistance promptly and effectively and that their needs are met with the utmost care and attention to detail.
In conclusion, my senior capstone project aims to provide a meaningful and positive impact on the lives of local seniors. By spearheading a charitable gift-giving drive, I aim to leverage my network to collaborate with various community services in the fight against poverty among seniors. Through this project, I aim to enrich the lives of older people and promote kindness in the community. Working together can make a difference and improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
