The Never
Alone Project
A program that helps older adults who live alone in Oviedo and Seminole County, Florida, stay in their own homes safe, respected and never alone.
25
homes repaired in year one
40
seniors befriended every week
30
active volunteers from our community
~$80K
first-year budget
Mission
To help people 60 and older who live alone stay in their own homes safe, respected and never alone.
Who we are
Love for the World is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Oviedo, Florida, with all state and federal registrations in good standing. We work with volunteers from our own community and serve people in English and Spanish.
Why two programs together
When we repair a home, we meet the senior and learn they live alone, so that senior also receives company. And the volunteer who visits every week is the one who notices the broken step. A safe home prevents falls; a friend makes sure no fall goes unnoticed.
“More than 1 in 4 older adults in the United States lives alone.”
Source: Administration for Community Living, Profile of Older Americans.
Our Programs
Safe Home
Free home repairs to prevent falls and accidents, done by licensed contractors.
- Fall prevention: Grab bars in bath and shower, handrails, loose steps and floors, non-slip strips.
- Lighting and safety: Light bulbs, smoke detectors, locks and peepholes.
- Accessibility: Shower seats, handheld showers, lever handles.
- Hurricanes: Yard cleanup, shutter checks, emergency kit.
Adopt a Grandparent
Each senior who lives alone is "adopted" by a volunteer or a family who commits for at least 6 months. It's a family relationship, not a service.
- Friendly calls: 2–3 calls a week to chat and make sure they're okay.
- Friendly visits: Weekly visits of 1–2 hours.
- Resource navigation: Connecting seniors with meals, Medicare counseling (SHINE), and transportation.
- Special days: Birthdays, Grandparents Day, Christmas.
Coffee & Heart
A monthly get-together at a community center with coffee, snacks, music, and talks on health and scam prevention.
- Warm coffee and delicious snacks.
- Live music and entertainment.
- Educational talks on health and wellness.
- Important guidance on scam prevention.
A Christmas with Dignity
We decorate, for free, the homes of seniors who live alone and bring them company, so no one spends Christmas alone.
- Free holiday decorations directly in their homes.
- Companionship and festive cheer.
- Creating unforgettable memories during the hardest time of the year.
One front door
Every senior enters through the same intake form: contact details, an emergency contact, a short home safety check and a question about loneliness. A senior who comes for a repair is offered company, and one who comes for company gets a home safety check.
Our golden rule
Love for the World never handles seniors' money, does not provide medical or personal care, and never charges or accepts payment for repairs.
Safe, trained volunteers
- Application, interview and 2 references.
- Level 2 background screening for everyone who enters a home.
- 6 hours of training: dignity and respect, abuse prevention and active listening.
- Repairs are done by licensed contractors; volunteers keep the senior company.
Community partners
Our First-Year Vision
Transparency and planning are at the core of our mission. This is what we will achieve, how we will get there, and what it takes.
The Plan
Launch "Friendly calls" with 5–10 seniors. Recruit 2 crew leaders. Meet with Senior Resource Alliance and the City of Oviedo.
Train the first group of volunteers. First visits and a pilot repair day (3 homes).
First Coffee & Heart gathering. Materials donated by 2 hardware stores. Partnership with 2 churches. 6-month review.
One repair day a month (2–4 homes). 30 seniors befriended. Home checks for hurricane season.
25 homes and 40 seniors. Christmas with Dignity campaign. Annual report with before-and-after photos.
The Budget
No paid staff: volunteers provide companionship and licensed contractors do the repairs. Estimated figures.
*With materials donated by hardware stores, the real cost drops significantly.
Give the gift of companionship
Your support directly funds home repairs, community gatherings, and ensures that older adults in our community never have to feel alone.
Donate Today ♥