Senior Intervention Program

•   Provide outreach and referral services to neighborhood seniors.
• Provide computer training, assistance and access as part of the Senior Employment Skill Building program
• Complete applications for these and other supportive services, including LIHEAP (energy assistance), Circuit Breaker, CDOA Benefits Checkup, Medical ID bracelets, RTA reduced-fare permits, IDHS programs, Social Security and Medicare programs
• Facilitate monthly community education on relevant issues (crime, housing, legal issues).
• Prepare and distribute a comprehensive annual resource guide of senior services in the community.
• Assist seniors in remaining independent by coordinating home repairs and installation of enabling devices in homes (rented and owned) of income-eligible seniors (H-RAIL program).

Senior Employment Skill Building

 In June of 2003, RPCC established the Senior Technology Resource Center (STRC), a small computer lab for use by the senior community.  Approximately 25 seniors attended a kickoff party held to increase community awareness, provide information on services and events of interest, and finalize class schedules.  Two different instructional programs are available on an ongoing basis.  “Microsoft Word for the Novice” is a 10-week course in basic usage and document format/manipulation skills; the 6-week “Introduction to the Internet” class is designed to familiarize seniors with internet scope and structure, access / search tools and practical applications.  The cycle of instruction is repeated indefinitely so that as many seniors as possible receive formalized training.

Upon discovering that the majority of seniors have never been exposed to computer technology, RPCC designed a hands-on curriculum within a supportive learning environment.  Classes are kept small (three maximum) to ensure that students receive sufficient attention and learn at a comfortable pace.

RPCC currently relies on in-house staff and a team of seven volunteers (adults and youth) to provide instruction and assistance.  In collaboration with Mayor Daley’s KidStart YouthNet 24^th District, local high-students are recruited to provide one-on-one internet assistance.  In addition to more formalized instruction, seniors may sign up for “open use” to practice new skills, investigate employment opportunities and conduct research.  Three terminals are available Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. 

Home Repairs.   In 1992, the RPCC initiated a new "hands-on" improvement program. Our home repair program assists senior citizens and disabled persons maintain their living quarters in a safe and accessible manner. To offer these improvements to the community, the RPCC acts as the general contractor and hires city-approved, licensed sub-contractors to perform the actual repairs. The work performed under this program includes installing accessibility tools such as grab bars, hand rails, bath benches and hand held showers, and making "minor" repairs such as replacing or repairing damaged ceilings, walls, floors, windows and porches.

Connecting to Services.  Although “Al” suffers from chronic emphysema and relies on daily oxygen use, he claimed to need zero assistance.  Eventually, Al revealed that “scrubbing the tub” was difficult for him.  He also claimed to have been visited at one time by an agency intake worker who had been antagonistic and unhelpful.  Although Al  was initially resistant, he agreed to let us contact the Chicago Department on Aging and “try again.”  Once the assessment by a Catholic Charities intake worker had been scheduled, Al continued to appear skeptical and resistant, even anxious.  In the end, we arranged to be present for the assessment, which served both to familiarize us with the assessment process and to satisfy Al.  He was approved for complete homemaker services.  Consequently, he now feels confident enough to regularly seek our assistance.

Housing Priority.  “Ralph” is a 70 year old gentleman who is unhappy with his living situation.  A spry, talkative man, he finds life in a local seniors building to be nearly intolerable.  Unfortunately, Ralph’s income is scant, and at $233 a month, his modest studio is affordable.  Ralph’s situation is common to many Rogers Park seniors in need of affordable housing: the options are limited, with waiting lists for many “low-income” and subsidized housing programs either closed indefinitely or unbearably long.  For Ralph and clients like him, RPCC’s plan of action is as follows: to provide referrals to as many housing sites as possible, write recommendation letters to housing agencies and potential landlords, assist with housing applications, and provide regular follow-up services.

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