Neighbors Helping Neighbors Co-Founder
Honored for "Making a Difference"
NOVEMBER 7, 2015—Dawn White, co-founder of the SCA’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, received a 2015 Making a Difference award from the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County for her work with the program. Dawn was recognized as the main driving force behind NHN, which provides free services to Saranap residents.
Dawn is a long-time Saranap resident who has worked in elder care for many years. She accepted the award on behalf of the program’s 17 volunteers at the Interfaith Council’s annual meeting, which was held November 6 at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church in Lafayette.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors was established in 2009 as a way of fostering a sense of community in the Saranap area. Trained NHN volunteers provide assistance to neighbors who, because of illness, age, the birth of a child, or other circumstances need assistance with the "little things" they once took for granted – things like home and phone visits, transportation, shopping errands, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and trash removal.
“The outcome is a win-win,” says Dawn, who is co-coordinator of the program. “Neighbors receive the services they need at no cost, volunteers find that helping their neighbors is deeply gratifying, and everyone makes new friends!”
Adds NHN co-coordinator Jim Piepergerdes, “We support the enhanced quality of life that comes when we offer our strengths and skills to each other.”
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a “win-win” program, says Dawn White, NHN co-founder and winner of a 2015 Making a Difference Award from the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County.
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