The newly expanded Eskaton Community Outreach Department highlights Eskaton’s nonprofit distinction and demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the quality of life of older adults. Eskaton offers free resources to the community, such as friendly phone conversations, peer support groups, educational tools and a vast array of service opportunities. With these valuable outreach services, Eskaton helps the broader community enjoy an aging experience that is truly transformed.
“Our comprehensive services provide emotional support, meaningful engagement, resources, and education to enhance quality of life and well-being,” says Darlene Cullivan, community engagement manager. Eskaton offers these programs to older adults: Connection through Friendly Calls, Access to Resource Navigation, Relationships through Support Groups, and the Education Hub, as well as service opportunities for volunteers and interns.
Eskaton Community Outreach services are provided at no-cost to the broader community. “Now, more than ever, we recognize the need to support the emotional well-being of not only Eskaton residents, but older adults throughout the region,” says Cullivan. “By providing opportunities for social connection through virtual support groups, daily calls and accessible educational resources, these immediate needs are being addressed.”
Passionate staff and trained volunteers make up the outreach team. Eskaton has recently welcomed hundreds of volunteers of all ages with diverse backgrounds and experiences from across the U.S. The life-changing impact of their services is exemplified by this comment from a Telephone Reassurance Program participant: “I’m lonely with my wife gone for four years now. A telephone call each day gives me something to look forward to and lifts my spirit.”
Over the next 18 months, with support from community-based organizations and health care partners, Eskaton Community Outreach plans to expand services beyond the Sacramento region. “Our goal is to provide meaningful, comprehensive support, education and resources to those most in need,” says Cullivan.