Volunteers Involved for the Emotional Well-being of Seniors (VIEWS)

The VIEWS program promotes the emotional well-being of seniors through support and social engagement. Weekly peer support groups, Conversations on Aging and Life Stories Writing Workshop, provide emotional support, unconditional listening, and sharing of experiences at no cost to the participants.

Services

Peer Support Groups are small closed groups that allow the participants to freely discuss topics that meet their needs. Peer Support Groups help to reduce isolation and while building community for the participants.

  • Peer Support Groups are held weekly at the same location
  • 5-8 screened participants *
  • Meetings are confidential and occur in a safe and supportive environment where members can talk about life’s challenges, changes, losses and successes.
  • Include our Gay and Grey group, a mixed gender support group for LGBT older adults.
  • Sessions facilitated by trained VIEWS senior peer counseling volunteers that are older adults (age 55+)

*Prospective members are interviewed to ensure a good fit and are asked to make a weekly commitment to the support groups.

Conversations on Aging provide an opportunity for older adults to come together and discuss their feelings and experiences on specific topics of aging. VIEWS’ Conversation on Aging discussion groups are:

  • A place for participants to share their feelings and listen to others.
  • Confidential discussions that are held in a private room or virtually.
  • Facilitated by trained VIEWS Conversation Facilitator volunteers that are older adults (age 55+).
  • 90-minute sessions that are most effective for groups of 8-10 participants. Conversations on Aging groups are hosted at various venues and are advertised in local and senior-focused publications, Senior Center newsletters, and in the “Upcoming Events” section at the bottom of this page.

Life Stories Sharing

  • The group meets for 8 sessions, generally weekly, for 2 hours.
  • Facilitated by two trained senior peer support volunteers.
  • Giving participants the opportunity to explore their life experiences and to share written and verbal memories from various portions of their lives.

Friendly Caller

  • Connecting older adults with a trained Senior Peer Support volunteer by phone.
  • One on One contact could be a one time phone call or a positive text message.
  • Contact OAPeerCallers@multco.us or Aging Disability Resource Connection 503-988-3646

To access Cascadia’s VIEWS services including joining a support group, scheduling a “Conversation on Aging” presentation at your facility, to volunteer, or for more information about the program please contact VIEWS Program Manager: Call 503-283-3763 Ext. 2582 or 971-255-2113, email views@cascadiabhc.org

Volunteer

VIEWS volunteers are a vital force in the community, assisting other older adults and providing a model for healthy aging.  VIEWS provides its services in Multnomah and Clackamas Counties.

We have two volunteer opportunities (age 55 and better):

VIEWS Friendly Callers make regular contact with seniors to provide a friendly voice and conversation.  Calls or Text messages might be weekly or less often depending on the needs of the senior.

Volunteers wishing to become Friendly Callers will receive a phone and a full day of training with materials to help guide conversations.  We also offer weekly office hours to provide consultation and support to Callers.

Friendly Callers must complete the training, and a background check. They commit to 2–10 hours per month for a minimum of one year.  Volunteers also commit to attending the monthly education and support meetings throughout their active volunteering with VIEWS.

VIEWS Conversation Facilitators co-lead 90-minute discussions that are held at various locations around the Metro area.  The Conversations are focused on specific topics that help older adults navigate the changes and challenges that come with aging.

Volunteers wishing to become Conversation Facilitators will receive a full day of training and a manual that details approaches and discussion ideas for presenting the Conversations on Aging.

Conversation Facilitators must complete the training, and a background check.  They commit to 2.5 – 10 hours per month (from one to four Conversations) for a minimum of one year.  Volunteers also commit to attending the monthly education and support meetings throug