Benevilla extends their sincerest appreciation to the Greater Phoenix Microsoft Datacenter Community Development Team for their generous support of our organization and the community we serve during this COVID-19 crisis. The Microsoft DCCD’s Team commitment to serving and improving our community through a $10,000 C-19 Response Fund award will enable Benevilla to continue our Home Services Program providing much needed services to older adults challenged with the daily routine of independent living and staying safe at home during COVID-19.
The Benevilla Home Services Program provides essential care services including grocery shopping, assisted transportation to medical appointments, emergency errands, and phone pal wellness checks to home-bound older adults and adults with disabilities. All services are provided free of charge by our team of Benevilla volunteers and staff.
During this COVID-19 crisis, CDC guidelines advise older adults to stay home because they are at high-risk of serious complications from the virus. According to the Census 2018 population estimates, there are 254,000 West Valley senior residents or adults with disabilities and many of them do not have a support network enabling them to stay independent at home. Benevilla has received a significant increase of requests from older adults in the West Valley needing assistance with things like grocery shopping and assisted transportation.
The Microsoft Datacenter Community Development Team’s support allows Benevilla to continue meeting the community’s urgent requests by continuing to provide these essential home services and also the opportunity to redeploy some currently furloughed Benevilla staff from other Benevilla programs to help meet these needs.
“In the world of COVID-19, the Benevilla Home Services Program has become a lifeline for many in our community who wish to remain safe and healthy at home” says Joanne Thomson, Benevilla President and CEO. “With this support from the Greater Phoenix Microsoft Datacenter Community Development Team, we are able to support our neighbors who may otherwise be alone, have nowhere else to turn and are without these everyday resources.”
The Microsoft C19 Response Fund, created and managed by Microsoft’s Datacenter Community Development team, is designed to support the evolving needs of communities hosting Microsoft data centers as they grapple with health, education, and everyday life needs brought on by the
COVID-19 pandemic response. The team is committed to serving community needs and answering the calls for help and solidarity.
“Microsoft is honored to partner with Benevilla and support their Home Services Program to ensure older adults continue to get the care and services they deserve in order to maintain independence and wellness”, said Adonis Trujillo. “During this time of need in the greater Phoenix community, it is important all organizations and community members step up to meet the needs of individuals, families, and businesses in response to this continuing pandemic.”
Benevilla is asking anyone interested in volunteering to contact their Volunteer Services Program at (623) 584-4999 or visit their website at https://benevilla.org/volunteer-opportunities/. Everyone knows volunteering makes you feel good, but did you know when you volunteer you are improving your life and maybe even your health? Volunteering builds community, increases socialization, improves self-esteem and promotes longevity.