Feeling Lonely? Cleveland Seniors Help Call Other Seniors Through Goodwill Program

NewsChannel 9 reports that a national program hosted by Goodwill is helping seniors in the Chattanooga, Tenn., area help other seniors combat loneliness during the pandemic. Goodwill initiated the Village Connector Experience via their Senior Community Service Employment Program. All program participants must by 55 or older to qualify. Bradley County senior LaVone Holden says seniors are not allowed to go out and do the things they normally would during a pandemic, and she wanted to make a difference. Through the program, Holden is assigned about 12 people each week, who she calls several times weekly. "We call them encourage them and see if there's something we can do to make their life a lot better, that they don't feel so isolated and that there's people who cares," she explains. Chattanooga Goodwill Industries Chief Operating Officer Jim Stailey says he hopes the program continues past the pandemic.