Grant Funds Senior Outreach Program

A $40,000 grant from Wheat Ridge Ministries will allow Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries and the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association to assist homebound senior citizens in the midtown area.

The program includes health and social services for low-income older adult to help them remain independent and in their homes as long as possible. Recent research identified a large number of homebound seniors in the Ivanhoe area who are unable to access services because of transportation and other mobility issues.

“Although we have many seniors who come to Metro Lutheran Ministry for assistance each month, we know there are many more who are homebound,” explained Kathleen Morrow, director of MLM’s Services to the older adult. “This program will reach out and provide services to help them continue to live in their own homes.”

Morrow noted that senior citizens who are able to stay in their homes remain healthier and require less overall assistance. MLM services include assistance with utility payments, medication and medical equipment, minor home repair, case management and companion services.

Jessie Jefferson, mobilizer for the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association, said the organization’s 240 block contacts will identify those eligible from among the neighborhood’s approximately 5,000 senior citizens, roughly half of the area’s population.

“We’re very blessed that Metro Lutheran Ministry is helping make this a reality,” she said. “With our residents, this is obviously a need and it takes a group like them to come in and help with a program like this.”

The grant was among 12 recently awarded by Wheat Ridge Ministries, an independent Lutheran non-profit organization based in Itasca, Il.