Honoring "the Pay It Forward man" Michael Dorn. Click here to find out more information on this year's Gala.
Lilly's story and all the other success stories would not be possible without your support of our agency and the Gala.
GVAS serves as a safety net or "lifeline" to many seniors when there may be no one else. The following "Lilly's Story" is true; however, the name has been changed to protect the individual's confidentiality.
Lilly is an 88 year old, visually impaired widow, with short-term memory loss, who lives alone in a subsidized apartment complex on $842 per month. Lilly had been her husband's caregiver and devoted wife until his death in 2006. Her husband had managed all of the household finances during their marriage. Now alone, Lilly was faced with trying to manage her own life on purely her husband's Social Security Income. Lilly had no idea where to start. She originally called GVAS hoping to get a volunteer to come-in and help her read her mail, but her needs didnt stop there.
Lilly told GVAS that she did not have enough money to buy groceries, after she had paid rent, utilities, and her high health insurance premium. Lilly was eating only one meal per day and she was quickly losing weight. Lilly was isolated, falling and was having difficulty managing independently in her home. Lilly's family was unable to assist her at this time do to other responsibilities and illness, and had told her to do what she could.
• Budget Assistance Volunteer assigned to read mail, budget check book, and pay bills.
• Food vouchers and rent paid for one month thru GVAS Temporary Monetary Assistance Program.
• Case Manager helped complete DES paperwork for food stamps and enrollment in ALTCS health insurance.
• GVAS facilitated filling out paperwork necessary to receive Medicare Part B Premium paid by state.
• Case Manager supported Lilly mentally and emotionally during the personal interviews required for above.
• Budget Assistance Volunteer went above and beyond by checking on Lilly on his own time; they became "friends".
• Lilly was approved for Food Stamps and ALTCS health insurance; receiving $63/month for groceries.
• Lilly has switched insurance plans and now saves $2,400 annually because she no longer pays a high insurance premium.
• Lilly's ALTCS Case Manager sees her frequently.
• Lilly's caregiver from a local agency helps her with light housekeeping, shopping, laundry, and personal care.
• Lilly has an emergency response system and home delivered meals free of charge.
• Lilly was approved for the State's Medicare Part B Cost Sharing Program; $96.40 is added back into her monthly Social Security check-a savings of $1,156.80 annually.
"My life has completely changed", says Lilly. "I don't know what I would have done; with the help I got from GVAS, now, I have enough to buy an ice cream cone."
• GVAS started as a Children's Christmas Fund, established in the 1960's when Green Valley had only 3,000 residents.
•Christmas Fund grew to a Green Valley Community Fund to collect and distribute funds for emergencies.
•In 1981, GVAS was incorporated separately and became the first professional social service agency in the greater Green Valley area.
•Edythe Taylor, social worker and former volunteer, was hired as its first Director.