Helping older adults when they are facing difficult life challenges, VINE Faith in Action offers an Elder Network Peer Counseling Program in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties. The program was initially developed in 1988 by Mary Doucette, RN, director of Elder Network in Rochester.
Trained adult volunteers, age 55+, who have the “gift of listening and compassion” are matched in a one-to-one, formal relationship with a senior. Each Peer Counselor works with only one client at a time. People typically served by the program are facing issues of multiple loss, chemical dependency, chronic or seasonal depression, post traumatic stress disorder, caregiver issues or other situations which present emotional challenges. Most peer counseling relationships last from several months to a year and include weekly, hour-long visits, goal setting, and the writing of very brief contact notes.
42 hours of initial, in-depth training is provided. If you are at least 55 years old and interested in learning more about Elder Network at VINE, please contact Angie Mott, program coordinator, at (507) 387-1666.
Elder Network at VINE is made possible in part under the Federal Older Americans Act through an award from the MN River Area Agency on Aging Joint Powers Board under an area plan approved by the Minnesota Board on Aging.
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