Causes: Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations, Homeless & Housing, Homeless Shelters, Human Services, Senior Centers, Seniors, Unknown

Mission: DOROT’s mission is to enhance the lives of the elderly in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area through a dynamic partnership of volunteers, professionals and elders; to foster mutually beneficial interaction between the generations; and to provide education and leadership in developing volunteer-based programs for the elderly nationally and internationally.

Programs: Concrete services that help older adults live independently in the community, which include the provision of home delivered meals, assistance attending medical and other essential appointments, onsite health and wellness classes, and a visiting doctor program. Kosher meals for the homebound delivers nutritious frozen meals each week to seniors who can no longer easily shop or cook for themselves; the emergency meals service provides meals to seniors immediately after discharge from a hospital. Shop and escort enables frail and homebound elderly to access medical care, food, and other needs by providing trained staff and volunteers to escort them to their appointments. The wellness program for seniors encourages the elderly to take an active role in their own health, offering onsite classes to improve their strength and balance, and informational sessions about nutrition and health. The homelessness prevention program provides safe transitional housing, food, and ongoing counseling to homeless older adults, and relocates them into affordable permanent homes.

socialization services connects seniors to their peers and younger generations to enhance their quality of life, reduce social isolation, and create bonds to the larger community. Friendly visiting matches homebound seniors with volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 89 for weekly visits in the senior's homes; the average length of match is 37 months. Cemetery visits recruits and trains volunteers to escort homebound and frail older adults to area cemeteries to visit the graves of their loved ones.

community services alleviates social isolation and brings the generations together in mutually supportive and beneficial relationships and enriching programs. Volunteers deliver holiday packages and meals to seniors; escort seniors to medical appointments and cultural events; teach them how to communicate by email and access the internet; and facilitate teleconference classes and support groups. Teen and college volunteers shop for seniors and participate in intergenerational art and music workshops. Volunteers receive ongoing support and training from staff, while they make new friends and contribute to building a better community.

educational services alleviates isolation by enabling older adults, caregivers, and professionals to participate in classes and support groups and obtain information about relevant services. University without walls offers educational and cultural courses, support groups, and holiday celebrations via teleconference to homebound elders. Russian university without walls offers russian-speaking, homebound seniors continuing education and esl classes through teleconference, easing loneliness and isolation, and helping them integrate into american life. To your health offers health and wellness courses and support groups to seniors and their caregivers. Through information and referral, dorot staff and trained volunteers provide guidance to seniors, caregivers and professionals about available services at dorot, and in new york city and beyond.