"Giving each other a helping hand"

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Time Bank Models
-Building Community
-Education
-Elder Care
-Youth at Risk

What are Time Dollars

Centered on community health, TimeBanks work in a similar way to provide help to hospital discharge patients in the critical period following their hospital sta, generate mutual support activities around weight loss, fitness, and diabetes management, and counter loneliness, isolation, and depression.

Elderplan, Brooklyn, New York:
One of the oldest TimeBanks called Member to Member is based in Elderplan, a nonprofit health plan for older adults in New York City. Since its inception in 1987, it has created long-term relationships that function as a supportive, extended family for its members, many of whom would otherwise suffer from isolation. Hundreds of members are active on regular basis, and they contribute approximately 15,000 hours a year. Member to Member participants earn and spend Time Dollars providing and receiving a wide variety of one-on-one as well as group services such as home repairs, transportation services or companionship. They can also redeem Time Dollars in Member-to-Member’s Credit Shop to get medical equipment, taxi vouchers, or tickets to social events. The program is fully funded by the HMO it serves.

Member spotlight:
Norman Abrams has dedicated most of his retirement life to helping seniors with minor home repair. After fifty years of work for GE, he assumed an administrative role running Geri-Pare, a New York City based minor home repair program. Unfortunately, the program was cut from the city budgets in 1991. Committed to helping others and determined to make a difference, Norm then joined Elderplan’s Member to Member home repair team. He also serves as a lay member of Elderplan’s Board of Directors.

In 1989, shortly after his retirement, Dominic Bencivenga was looking for a way to utilize the home repair skills that he acquired when he was employed at a concrete company and then as an expert rope fender maker for tugboats. Dominic found the Member to Member minor home repair team where he could use his plumbing, electrical work and masonry skills. Almost immediately, he was partnered with Norm Abrams and they chose to go out on all their jobs as a team.

To date, Norm has logged over 889 hours and Dominic over 372 hours of home repair service. They are credited with the installation of over 100 smoke detectors. When asked about why he enjoys helping others, Norm replied, “I just love seeing the joy on the faces of people when I can repair even the simplest thing.

One day in the spring of 2003, Dominic grew concerned when he could not reach Norm on the phone. He was determined to contact him, so he drove to Norm’s cousin’s home, knowing he had a key. Dominic insisted that his cousin escort him to Norm’s home. When they arrived, they found Norman on the floor, unable to get up. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Upon investigation, they concluded that Norm had probably been on the floor for three days. “It’s not often you find someone as caring as Dominic,” said Norm’s daughter. “He saved Norm’s life.” After an extended stay in rehab, Norm is now back in his home. He relies on Dominic to take him to all his doctor’s appointments and even for some minor home repairs. Norm’s daughter lives in California and is eternally grateful that her father has such a dedicated “partner” and a community he can rely on in his time of need.