WESTMINSTER CARES INC

Programs

1. 2024 was a busy year for Westminster Cares as we provided services and support to older adults and adults with disabilities in Westminster. With most programs and services happening in-person, we continued to respond to the needs of the community and to assess what new needs may have emerged during the pandemic.Nutrition and wellness continued to be our main focus, especially feeding seniors through our Meals on Wheels Program. Although requests for home-delivered meals have declined since the height of the pandemic, we continued to need 2 delivery routes and 2 volunteer drivers per day. Throughout the year we utilized the services of the Kurn Hattin Homes kitchen, and Trio Community Meals for meal preparation, and we partnered with the Bellows Falls Senior Center as a drop-off/pick-up location. Approximately 4,200 nutritious meals were distributed throughout the year to 16 to 26 residents Monday through Friday. (An average of 350 meals per month with 30 different residents served throughout the year.) In addition to daily hot lunches, approximately 1,400 frozen entrees were also provided for those needing weekend meals. This was possible due to the generosity of one Westminster…

   $47,132 spent
   100% of program spending

2. Our healthy aging exercise classes were geared towards improving strength, flexibility, and balance for older adults. In addition to maintaining our accessible Yoga class, we developed more opportunities for Tai Chi adding an evening class, adding participants to an established class and commencing a third, seated Tai Chi class for those with mobility issues or injuries. While these classes are all held in-person at the Institute, our two Strong Living exercise classes take place on-line. We are developing plans to re-start both the Healthy Aging Group and Monthly Senior Lunches in the spring of 2025.

3. Westminster Cares continued to offer grocery and pharmacy shopping assistance to those most vulnerable to illness or those no longer able to drive. The dedicated volunteers in our Transportation Program drove over 1,440 miles, providing a total of 116 rides, averaging 9 1/2 rides per month. Our Equipment Loan Program has been in full operation all year with high demand. We have loaned out over 110 pieces of durable medical equipment with an average of 9 loans per month. In collaboration with the First Congregational Churchs SOUPer Wednesday Lunches we hosted 3 speakers during the winter months who presented on Preventing Scams, Programs and Services of Senior Solutions and Hospice & Palliative Care. During the year, our Emergency Fund was used on 4 occasions to assist residents in crisis with payment of an important bill or needed repair. Demand for information through our Resource & Referral Program remains high with several calls received each week.

4. In May we honored our volunteers for their service to the community with a dinner at a local restaurant followed by a classic movie at the Opera House. In September, we participated in Westminsters first Community Festival and honored our towns eldest residents (those 90 years and older) at our annual Celebration of Aging. Twelve guests of honor and their families gathered on the back lawn of the Institute for a luncheon and presentation. In November we relaunched our Community Nurse Program by hiring Kathy Shuster, a former Westminster resident and public health nurse with extensive experience.

5. This summer the Westminster Cares board of directors began a strategic planning process with guidance from a retired business executive and consultant from S.C.O.R.E. Several priorities were identified for the coming year, however the ultimate goal is to develop a plan which will guide the organization for the next 3-5 years and longer. This will include data gathering and a community needs survey so that programs and services can be tailored to meet the changing needs of our aging population in Westminster. Westminster Cares is extremely grateful to receive significant financial support from the town. Additionally, our annual appeal, grants, and individual, corporate, and memorial donations throughout the year were essential support. We held several successful fundraising events including the Westminster Garden Tour and Pizza Night at Orchard Hill Breadworks. We have been extremely fortunate to receive additional funding from local businesses and private family foundations such as the George A. Dascomb Charitable Trust. We are truly appreciative of all the financial support that enables us to serve the community and for the thousands of hours volunteers and board members donate…

The 5 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990-EZ. Program spending in total: $47,132.