Ramp Program
Provides necessary handicap ramps for disabled senior citizens with emphasis on those with low or fixed incomes. Habitat for Safe Seniors has completed 10 of these ramps, 2 of which were over 75 feet long. This program ensures that all seniors can safely access their homes giving them piece of mind and quality of life. This also allows cost savings to the senior, government and health care providers by preventing slips, trips and falls. This program is supported in part by the kind hearts of MLU Services of Florida that had donated some prefabricated handicap ramps with nonskid surfaces. The funding in 2007 from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation had allowed us to purchase the necessary fasteners and angle iron to assemble these ramps. We expect the remaining ramps to be installed in 2008 through our volunteer organizations. In some situations it is not feasible to install a prefab ramp due to the terrain or structure of the home. In these situations we have to fabricate a ramp from wood or other materials. In the Texas hill country some of these homes and trailers are so high off the ground that the proper ADA slopes for ramps can not be achieved. In some cases vertical lifts would need to be installed to address safety, home accessibility and/or terrain issues. Vertical lifts can cost in excess of $10,000 depending on height. In cases where vertical lifts may be necessary we seek additional help from other organizations for support. These ramps are critical especially in fire or EMS emergencies where the elderly are unable to exit their home safely.

Home Repair

Provides a variety of home safety repairs for seniors. These repairs benefit each participant by providing the senior with a safe and healthy environment within their own home. In 2007 we completed 36 projects requested by our elderly. Some repairs included - adding a step, fixing a handrail for stability, shoring up loose banisters, replacing rotten landings. The various kinds of requests we receive under this program may include major home repairs, mold issues due to leaks, and HVAC repairs. Many seniors need various repairs all at once, creating a domino effect for them and our organization. Most seniors in this area are living in homes or trailers more than 25 years old which are deteriorating around them, and the senior citizens are too old to maintain their own homes. Many seniors are either uninsured or under insured, so required repairs may not be covered by an insurance provider. Our seniors serviced by this program benefit from safer living conditions and therefore enjoy a better quality of life.

Environmental Clean Up (Formerly Yard Maintenance Program)

We completed 11 projects in 2007 including some that were referred by Comal County Environmental Office. This program ensures that the surrounding home environment remains safe for the resident and does not attract unwanted pests, cause of fire hazard or injury to the senior. The community will also benefit directly by having unsightly yards maintained and free from unwanted pests such as rodents, roaches, snakes and bees. In addition, the program prevents overgrown yards from becoming a fire hazard during times of drought. We benefit the senior citizen by providing a safe and clean outdoor environment while preventing possible injuries or heat related illnesses if they attempt to perform the work themselves.

Food Delivery Program (Formerly Weekend Food Delivery)

This program is a major part of our operations and ensures that no senior goes without the necessary daily nutrition. Habitat for Safe Seniors has completed over 7,394 deliveries to senior citizen’s homes in 2007. This program has been blessed with the partnership of the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) and donations from our local donors (HEB, Super S Foods, Smithson Valley Food Pantry, Adelita’s Flour Tortilla Factory of San Antonio, etc). This program reaches seniors by making sure perishables are not stored to long and are delivered/distributed prior to spoilage. This program has grown in 2007 from a weekend program to a daily delivery program. We benefit the elderly by providing and/or delivering food and also a small bit of fellowship on a daily basis.

Senior Center

Habitat for Safe Seniors offers various activities and accommodations in our Senior Center such as classroom activities, internet research, and seniors’ bingo, card games and dominos. We have had over 517 participants in various activities with over 335 additional visitors. The opportunity for socialization provided to our aging friends is a huge benefit to their wellbeing and dignity. We often find families bringing their parents or grandparents in to enjoy games, other seniors’ company, refreshments, and caring compassion from our volunteers. The seniors enjoyed the company of our local Cub Scouts on Mother’s Day and the Bulverde Venture Crew 548 participation with their activities during the summer break. The activities offered through the Senior Center aid in supporting the independence of the elderly. To accommodate additional activities and increase socialization we intend to staff the senior center full time, which will enable us to schedule additional activities to keep up with the growing population of senior citizens. The Senior Center benefits the seniors by providing a place for socialization, education and activities.

Food Pantry

Provides food in emergency situations or as needed for Walk-In seniors. This ensures that no senior citizen goes without proper nutrition and provides a cost savings to seniors on low/fixed incomes. This program eliminates the waste of food from local grocers, surrounding food pantries, and local growers by redistributing food to those in need. Our food pantry is located in the Senior Center. Future expansion of the Food Pantry storage area and increased refrigeration capacity will eliminate the need to redistribute this food on a same day basis. Therefore, we will be able to serve even more seniors. Our Senior Center & Food Pantry opened its doors in April of 2007 and has served over 507 seniors on a walk in basis. The Food Pantry benefits seniors by providing healthy foods at no cost giving them peace of mind and critically needed nutrition.

Environmental Beautification

This program (established in 2007) is a success for our seniors by providing outdoor activities while beautifying their homes and the community. We have had 152 seniors participate in this program. The seniors acquire unsellable plants and flowers from nurseries and growers, and then care for, prune and plant these items. We pick up these plants and redistribute them to senior citizens for their home beautification. Those seniors that may have had repairs done or clean ups in their yards will also receive plants to cover bare spots or possibly hide piping, septic clean outs, etc. on or near their home. We are actively seeking additional nurseries and seed companies to participate in this program. The seniors have use of a greenhouse to plant starter seeds and provide the initial care for these plants. This program has the capacity to generate income for Habitat for Safe Seniors with the possible sale of some of these plants. There is a stand on the site available to display and sell these plants. This will provide a means for our seniors to interact with the community and raise funds for the organization. The Seniors Environmental Beautification program benefits our seniors by providing them with an outdoor activity that beautifies their neighborhood as well as their home. This also benefits our environment by eliminating waste, promoting our air quality and restoring our natural earth.

Plant A Row

This program was established in 2007. The general public and senior citizens can pick up tomato plants at no charge from Canyon Lake Ace Hardware (and through our Environmental Beautification Program) and grow them at home. Once grown the tomatoes are brought to Habitat for Safe Seniors for distribution to needy senior citizens. This program promotes public involvement while providing nutrition to those in need. The senior citizens that participated in this program in 2007 intend to continue in 2008. The seniors believe it is a great way to help and many of them are physically able to participate in this program. This program benefits our senior citizens by getting them outdoors and keeping them both physically and mentally healthy while adding nutrition.

Health Service

This program provides trips to doctor’s appointments, pharmacy pick ups or travel to the hospital. In times of emergency, tragedy or illness our senior citizens may be unable to drive to these locations. At times they are simply unsure who to call for help. Unlike other organizations that may require fees or prior scheduling, Habitat for Safe Seniors provides these services on an as needed basis. We have provided 24 of these trips for our seniors in 2007. Future plans call for addition of a vehicle to provide this transportation, funds for fuel or fees required by other organizations. Most of the seniors that rely on this program do not have family in the immediate vicinity. This program benefits our seniors by providing peace of mind and critically needed transportation.

Other

This program covers any project that does not specifically fall under any other category. Habitat for Safe Seniors has completed over 120 of these projects. This program includes referrals for services or simply to provide information, which often can be accomplished with one call or visit. Projects include moving furniture out of the way, hauling off vehicles for senior citizens when they have been requested to do so by the county, hauling off unwanted items from the home, or just moved things out of the way to maintain a safe environment. This program benefits the seniors by promoting easy access to information and improving their quality of life.

Senior Pet Match

This program, in partnership with the Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Society (CLASS), is still in development stages. Habitat for Safe Seniors has matched 6 pets with senior citizens. These pets provide companionship for our elderly and promotes pet education. This program also provides food for our senior’s pets. All seniors registered with us are eligible to receive discounts from CLASS. This program benefits our seniors by providing companionship throughout the day with a matched pet.

Social Services

This program is handled by the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) for Services outside the realm of Habitat for Safe Seniors Programs. Participants consist of senior citizens registered with our organization. This program assists seniors in applying for long term care and food stamps and other programs that may be available to them. The SAFB has assisted our seniors by making them aware of additional help that may be available to them. Thus far 54 elderly citizens have received help through our partnership with the SAFB Social Services department. This program benefits our seniors by providing even more services, contacts and assistance.

Food Fair Program
This program is sponsored by the San Antonio Food Bank and hosted by Habitat for Safe Seniors. This program serves the entire community not just those 55 and older. This program began as a way to contact those seniors in need and continues to have a direct effect by providing proper nutrition to seniors in need as well as the community. This program has over 348 families registered, representing 1,758 individuals with and average income of $898.00 per family per month. Of these 348 families 210 have senior citizens as head of household. Total seniors within these households are 633. Of those who register for only the Food Fair, 60% are seniors. This program benefits our seniors by providing proper nutrition at no cost.