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The "G-Bs" (The "Give-Backs"): School Credit to Assist Mid-to-Low-Income Aging/Disabled at Home

School kids (middle, high, college) could receive recognized school credit for a community service specifically for the aging/disabled community who want to remain at home, but cannot afford private-pay resources (ie: landscape companies, home health agencies). Examples: yard work (partner with nurseries or landscape companies); simple, non-medical care (partner with CNA schools, American Red Cross, home health agencies); simple repairs/tasks (partner with hardware stores, contractors), meal prep (partner with cooking schools, Loaves & Fishes, restaurants), grocery delivery (partner with stores), pet care/grooming (partner with shelters, vets, animal hospitals), etc. Services would be free or low-cost, based on Aging/Disabled individual's income/assets, and would be paid to that business (in exchange for training). Credit could be towards one of the corresponding career paths (healthcare, landscape, etc). Time commitment from student could be a full semester or full year. It would benefit all parties, and would be self-sustaining (there's always going to be a need, a student who wants to beef up their resume, and businesses willing to give-back and in doing so, generate more business).

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    SarahSarah shared this idea  ·   ·  Flag idea as inappropriate…  ·  Admin →

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      • sara millersara miller commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        Reminds me of the civil service requirements of some countries, often in lieu of mandatory military service, and it can happen after high school as well. What about kids who need to work to help support themselves and their families? I would like to see them benefit economically from the experience, perhaps as match for and IDA that would fund additional education/training, a business, or home ownership.

      • Joan PascoJoan Pasco commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        The East County One Stop in partnership with the Center for Advanced Learning has an "Adopt a Grandparent" project that taps into student volunteer community service and connects them to home bound older adults. It has been highly successful on many levels.

      • SarahSarah commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        In this case, 1 Million Dollars could be awarded to either a new or existing non-profit organization that agreed to create this intergenerational-business-community-school partnership.

      Million Dollar Ideas: Social Services

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      Oregon was once known as a place where new, creative thinking flourished and people weren’t afraid to face hard truths and take bold steps. But lately Oregon conversations are full of pessimism and cynicism. We all know Oregon is in a world of hurt. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing what’s wrong here.

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