Volunteer Connections

The ALS Association Florida Chapter offers programs that connect a person living with ALS and their family to a trained, dedicated volunteer to help meet emotional/social needs and perform chores and errands. Volunteers are recruited for one or two times a month, or sometimes even once a week depending on the needs of the family and availability for someone to help.

Please Note: Volunteers cannot assist with personal or medical care (such as toileting or tube-feeding), personal finances (such as banking), or transportation (including being a passenger). If the person living with ALS cannot be left alone, a caregiver must be present at all times while the volunteer is present.

Phone Friends

Phone Friends is a free telephone reassurance program, focusing on providing support to people living with ALS and their caregivers. Phone Friends provides social calls (or texts or other communication methods) from a volunteer once a week at a pre-scheduled time.

What can/cannot I expect?
You can expect a friendly, regularly-scheduled call (or other communication, if necessary) once a week to check on you and your well-being and to offer social and emotional support. You can expect someone who is respectful and courteous. You will receive communication from the Volunteer Manager to check on your satisfaction with the program and eventually an optional survey for quality assurance. Phone Friends is not a counseling or intervention program.

What is expected from me?
You are asked to try to respond at the scheduled time, or notify your Phone Friend if you need to reschedule. Please respect your match, and contact your Regional Program Manager or the Phone Friends Manager with any concerns or complaints.

Visiting Volunteers

Due to continued concerns related to the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, indoor volunteer work remains suspended until further notice. However, Visiting Volunteers may still perform outdoor services, such as light yardwork or gardening. Additionally, volunteers can perform other, non-contact services, such as picking up food or supplies, with delivery to a front door or garage.

Accordingly, families living with ALS who wish to resume or have these services must understand:
- Under no circumstances should volunteers come into contact with patients, caregivers, other members of a patient’s household, or any persons who are part of the patient’s care team.
- Any equipment used other than that personally owned by a volunteer must be disinfected after use, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Gloves and masks must be used, if appropriate.
- A household member must disinfect any touched surface prior to bringing indoors.

How Can I Request Volunteer Assistance?

Simply complete the Volunteer Assistance Request Form HERE. The Chapter Volunteer Manager and/or your Regional Program Manager will contact you. You will also need to complete an Agreement to receive volunteer assistance.