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Every Wednesday, a retired VP of operations from Edmonds shows up at a local senior’s door with a hot meal and a few minutes of conversation.
On Tuesdays, a bilingual volunteer in Lynnwood hosts a Chinese gathering where older adults can speak their native language and feel at home.
Each week in Auburn, a foster grandparent supports children in local schools and learning centers who need a little extra help, offering the kind of patient, steady presence only experience can provide.
This is what volunteering looks like at Homage Senior Services. In Snohomish County, it’s a cornerstone of how we support more than 25,000 older adults and people living with disabilities each year through meal delivery, transportation, health care coordination, home repair, mental health support and community programs.
April Marks National Volunteer Appreciation Month
Every April, National Volunteer Appreciation Month shines a light on the people who show up. At Homage, that means hundreds of volunteers who power nearly every aspect of our mission.
Our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. They don’t just deliver meals. They check in on isolated older adults, notice when someone needs help, and provide the human connection that makes aging with dignity possible. We’re fortunate to have so many neighbors who give their time, skills and compassion to support our most vulnerable community members.
For more than 50 years, Homage has matched community members with neighbors who need support. Our volunteer roles are as varied as the people who fill them, from drivers and senior peer counselors to multilingual volunteers who help older adults and people living with disabilities navigate technology or participate in cultural groups offered in Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese and more.
The Impact in Numbers
The numbers from Homage’s 2024 Annual Report tell a powerful story:
– 170 volunteers contributed 514 hours prepping, calling, and delivering meals on Thanksgiving Day 2024
– 227 ongoing volunteers serve throughout the year
– 182 one-day volunteers contributed 794 hours
– 46,711 total volunteer hours
– $1,623,000 total in-kind value.
Behind every number is a person: a volunteer who chose to show up, and a neighbor whose life is better because they did.
An Invitation to Join Us
We are always welcoming new volunteers, and April is a great month to take that first step.
Whether you have an hour a week for a phone call or want to become a foster grandparent working directly with children, we have meaningful opportunities that fit every schedule and skill set. Every volunteer makes a real difference.
Opportunities include:
– Meals on Wheels | deliver meals and wellness checks to homebound seniors.
– Friendly Connections | weekly phone companionship for isolated older adults.
– Volunteer Drivers | transportation to medical appointments and errands.
– Dementia Friends Champions | help expand dementia-friendly support by assisting with Dementia Friends sessions, support groups, and Memory Cafés (training and staff support provided.)
– Foster Grandparents |one-on-one support for children in local schools and learning centers who need a little extra help (55+, stipend available.)
– Senior Companion Program | socialization and support for older adults living at home (55+, stipend available.)
– Senior Peer Counseling | emotional support for adults 60+ (training provided.)
– Multilingual Volunteers | support cultural and language specific groups.
– Administrative Support | clerical and computer skills to support Homage programs.
– Outreach | spread the word about Homage services in the community.
The process is simple: apply online at, https://homage.org/volunteer-with-homage, connect with our volunteer team, and receive an orientation before you begin.
Because in Snohomish County, showing up for our neighbors isn’t just about volunteering. It’s about building a community where everyone can age with dignity, independence, and connection.
To learn about volunteer opportunities:
Website: homage.org/volunteer-with-homage
Phone: 425-740-3787
Juli Rose is senior director of programs at Homage Senior Services, which has served older adults and people with disabilities in Snohomish County for over 50 years.
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