Get paid to give back — and do it on your own schedule.
If you're 55 or older and live in the East Valley, the Senior Companion Program can pay you a tax-free stipend to help older neighbors stay independent at home — and Aster Aging's Neighbors Program is where you can do that work.
There's a federal program most people have never heard of — and it's worth knowing about.
The Senior Companion Program, part of AmeriCorps Seniors, connects adults 55 and older with older, homebound individuals who need a little help to keep living in their own homes. Volunteers receive a tax-free stipend of $4.00 per hour, mileage reimbursements, and supplemental insurance coverage while they serve.
If you qualify and you're in the East Valley, Aster Aging's Neighbors Program is where you can fulfill that service — helping older adults in our community with the practical, everyday support that keeps them home and independent.
How it works
- Contact the Senior Companion Program - Reach out to find out if you qualify. They'll walk you through the eligibility requirements and enrollment process.
- Enroll and receive your benefits - Once accepted, your stipend, mileage reimbursements, insurance coverage, orientation, and ongoing training are all in place through AmeriCorps Seniors.
- Serve through Aster Aging's Neighbors Program - The Neighbors Program connects you with older adults right here in the East Valley who need rides, companionship, and practical help staying home.
What the work actually looks like
Aster’s Neighbors Program is built around a simple idea: a few hours a week can change someone's ability to live at home safely and independently.
The support Senior Companions provide is practical and direct:
- Rides to appointments
- Doctor visits, pharmacy runs, grocery trips
- Simple chores
- Light tasks that keep a home manageable
- Friendly contact
- A visit or call — sometimes the only real conversation of the week
Nearly 90% of Senior Companion clients say their companion helps them remain living in their own home — and that they're more satisfied with their lives as a result. That's not a small outcome.
"For many seniors, driving is no longer possible. Family may not live nearby. A missed ride often isn’t just an inconvenience — it's a missed doctor's appointment or a missed prescription." Anne Wurth, Neighbors Program Coordinator, Aster Aging
Senior Companion Program eligibility
To qualify for the Senior Companion Program and its benefits, you'll need to:
- Be 55 years of age or older
- Meet income guidelines established by the federal government
- Be available to serve 5–35 hours weekly
- Pass a fingerprint-based background check
What volunteers say
New volunteers may initially think of their service as having a small impact, but they usually end up describing something else — a connection, a relationship, the sense that the time they gave mattered in a direct and visible way. Not an abstract impact. Immediate, human impact.
Ready to find out if you qualify?
Start by contacting the Senior Companion Program to check eligibility and enroll. Once you're in, Aster Aging's Neighbors Program is here to put your service to work in the East Valley.
Contact the Senior Companion Program
Aster Aging is a nonprofit serving older adults in the East Valley since 1979. The Senior Companion Program is administered through AmeriCorps Seniors.
