NEIGHBORS CARE ALLIANCE
Building Trust, One Visit at a Time
and learning more about her as a person. Little by little, those conversations made a difference. Hanna came to better understand Roseanne’s needs and preferences, and Roseanne became more comfortable communicating with Hanna. Together, they developed their own routine and built trust along the way.
nurture relationships that allow our neighbors to feel supported, valued, and connected to their community. Today, Hanna and Roseanne remind us that sometimes the best connections just need a little time to grow. ◆
At ReSources Vail Food Bank, our work through the Neighbors Care Alliance includes delivering weekly meal boxes to homebound older adults in our community. But those deliveries are about much more than food. They are an opportunity to build relationships, reduce isolation, and create meaningful connections between neighbors. Roseanne has been a ReSources client since 2021 and has gotten to know several volunteers over the years. She had developed a special bond with her previous volunteer, so when Hanna, a new ReSources volunteer, began making her weekly deliveries, the change took some getting used to, for them both. Hanna was learning a new volunteer role, while Roseanne was adjusting to a new person and a different routine. Their relationship didn’t click right away, and it became clear they needed a little support getting to know and understand one another. ReSources staff encouraged open communication. We talked with Roseanne about sharing not only her preferences, but what she truly needed from the program. We also encouraged Hanna to spend time talking with Roseanne, asking questions, listening,
Neighbors Care Alliance (NCA) is a network of neighborhood volunteer programs with a shared mission of helping older adults thrive safely in their homes for as long as possible. The programs serve specific geographic areas and are independently organized. Pima Council on Aging serves as the program administrator, providing tools to build infrastructure, volunteer training, networking opportunities, access to community resources, and mileage reimbursement to support volunteers. Does your neighborhood have an informal neighbors-helping-neighbors program that would benefit from support? We invite you to explore the Neighbors Care Alliance and consider starting a Neighbors Care Program in your community, creating a vital safety net for older adults. Together, we can make a meaningful impact!
Their story is a wonderful reminder that meaningful relationships don’t always happen instantly. Sometimes connection takes patience, communication, and simply giving one another time. At ReSources and through the Neighbors Care Alliance, our goal isn’t just to match a volunteer with an older adult who needs assistance. It’s to help Homebound Meal Delivery Serving SE Pima County (520) 338-2610 foodbank@resourcesvail.org ReSourcesVail.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit nca.pcoa.org or call Christina Walker, PCOA Volunteer Services Program Manager at (520) 258-5062.
Page 20 | November & December 2026, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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