·         PALS

·         Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you have touched someone’s life and made a difference.

·         The PALS program, made possible by a grant from the Yawkey Foundations, responds to a need to reduce isolation for brain injury survivors by engaging in social activities and making connections with others. It was designed to improve the quality of life for brain injury survivors, their families and caretakers, and the volunteers who donate their time to make a positive difference.

·         Who can be a PAL?

·         The PALS program matches brain injury survivors aged 16 and older with volunteers in their community for activities inside and outside their home.  A volunteer’s commitment to their PAL is a weekly phone call or email and a monthly get-together. Giving just one hour of your time on a regular basis can make a substantial difference to someone living with a brain injury. Brain Injury Survivors can be a PAL… Share your experience!

·         What’s the next step?

1. PALS volunteers must complete the attached application and meet with the Manager of Volunteers for an interview and basic training on the physical, mental and social aspects of brain injury.

2. Each volunteer will undergo a CORI record check (Criminal Offender Record Information) before joining the program, if one has not already been completed.

3. When a brain injured survivor in your area requests a PAL, your application will be reviewed for a match and you will be contacted once a suitable match has been found.

What will I do with my PAL?

Survivors will be matched with volunteers based on many factors including social interests, personality and the volunteers’ level of experience with brain injury. Volunteers donate their time to play cards or board games, go to dinner, see a movie, and spend time talking with brain injury survivors, time that is of immense benefit to all involved.  Approved volunteers may team together with other PALS for group activities such as attending sport events, community events, movies, etc. Receive assistance from the BIA-MA Manager of Volunteers in brainstorming additional activities that can be shared with your PAL.

To apply or for more information, send email to pcarlson@biama.org, or call her at 508-475-0032, ext. 22.