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Client & Student Stories

237

Adults with chronic illness received regular visits from Lori's Hands student volunteers in 2022

524

Student and community volunteers engaged in 2022

7,518

Hours volunteered to strengthen networks of support for people with chronic illness in 2022

Our Awards & Honors

2023

Madeline Lambrecht Community Excellence in End-of-Life Care Award

2022

Generations United Program of Distinction

2020-2021

Gen2Gen Innovation Fellowship

2020

Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award

2020

Reverend Melvin B. Tuggle Community Excellence Award

2016

Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award

2014

Clinton Global Initiative

2013

Youth Service Award

2011

Jefferson Award

Research Reports

The Journal of Gerontological Social Work: The Impact of an Intergenerational Service Learning Program on Psychological Distress for Homebound Older Adults

Written by Lori’s Hands board, staff, and academic partners at Eastern Michigan University, this study examined the benefits of an intergenerational home-based service learning program to reduce psychological distress for homebound older adults. Findings indicated length of service and having a child as a caregiver were associated with a reduction in psychological distress.

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UD CRESP Final Program Report: Integrating Lori’s Hands into Home-Based Primary Care Services

We worked with the University of Delaware’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) to understand the impact of our pilot program with ChristianaCare’s Primary Care at Home team.

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Innovation in Aging: Impact of Intergenerational Service Learning on Psychological Distress for Homebound Older Adults During COVID

Written by Lori’s Hands board members, staff, and partners from Eastern Michigan University, this article evaluates the impact of Lori’s Hands services on psychological distress among homebound older adults. The results suggest that intergenerational in-home support services can help reduce psychological distress for homebound older adults.

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Delaware Journal of Public Health: Aging in Place: Are We Prepared? 

Written by Lori’s Hands staff, an alumna, and a current student leader for the August 2022 DJPH “Place Matters” issue, this article highlights some of the benefits and challenges to aging in place, discusses the individual and system-level strategies that are needed to help older adults successfully age in place, and provides an overview of one creative solution that addresses instrumental and social needs among individuals aging in place with chronic illness.

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Journal of Social Work Education: Supporting Homebound Older Adults and Caregivers Through Integrative Service Learning

Written in collaboration with faculty partners from Hunter and Eastern Michigan University, this May 2022 research article describes the Lori’s Hands integrative service learning model which can serve older adults and caregivers while offering valuable pedagogical experiences to baccalaureate students, along with strategies for curriculum building, community engagement, research and evaluation, and program sustainability.

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UD CRESP Evaluation: Impact on Participating Clients

We initiated a partnership with the University of Delaware’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) to understand the impact of our program on participating clients.

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UD CRESP Evaluation: Impact on Participating Students

This impact evaluation paralleled the collaboration between us and UD CRESP to evaluate the impact of our program on participating students.

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2020 Gerontological Society of America Annual Conference

At the 2020 Gerontological Society of America Conference, our community-academic partnership team presented statistical findings from 109 clients’ UCLA Loneliness Scale.

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Testimonials

Carly

Lori’s Hands has changed my life! I can’t picture a world without Valerie and I know that I will be friends with her even after my time at UD has come to an end.

Janet

Eliza is always, always so pleasant. She has a sunshine personality and an unbelievable smile that picks up anyone’s spirits. She did whatever I asked without ever complaining, which was a big help because I don’t have many people to rely on any more. She was such a pleasure to work with and truly so much help. I am so fortunate to be enrolled in Lori’s Hands.

Pat

Thank you for Lori’s Hands. The students are such a delight. My sister always looks forward to their visits, and it makes her feel good knowing she’s contributing to their education while they are there helping her.

Dave

Thank you and your angels at Lori's Hands. I enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner.

Jane

Over the years, I’ve become quite attached to my assigned “elves,” most of whom I am still in contact with. Each and every student I’ve met serves to reaffirm my faith in the generosity of others and my hope for our collective future.

Corey

I was glad I was provided the opportunity to have an open dialogue with my Lori's Hands client and get into the nitty-grit of what health care is actually like in America. It has fueled my drive to do work in the field of racial health disparities.

Mr. Henry

I am enjoying every minute of my time in Lori's Hands. I really am.