Who we are:
“There’s not a week that goes by in which caregivers don’t say, ‘I don’t know what I’d do without the program.'” - Sharon Leary
Welcome to the Home Away from Home Respite Center! We are a community-oriented respite program staffed almost entirely by SUNY Geneseo students. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming space for senior citizens with memory-related illnesses, as well as some critical free time for their families and caregivers. Since 2016, we have been working to bring generations together and improve quality of life for caregiver, client, and volunteer alike.
What we do:
Twice a week, we here at the Respite program take time away from our busy lives to reconnect with ourselves and others. Whether we're laughing and learning through pleasant coffee and conversation, chronicling all we have to be thankful for in our gratitude journals, or playing a round of Qwirkle, there's always something fun and refreshing happening here.
While our activities are certainly fun and engaging for our seniors, they are often a tremendous help to our student volunteers too! Here is a sampling are some of our favorite pastimes:
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Chair Yoga and Aerobics
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Arts and Crafts
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Games and Puzzles
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Cooking Projects
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Special celebrations and events
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Visits from a therapy dog
For Families and Caregivers
"I was surprised with the feeling I had the first time I left my Mother-in-Law at the center. I had peace of mind. I knew she was safe while I took care of some errands." - Testimonial from Caregiver
During the academic school year, our Respite program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. We also offer programming during the summer, though the hours may differ.
The program is located at:
Geneseo Interfaith Center, 11 Franklin St., Geneseo, NY 14454
We are always looking to take on new clients and provide as much care as we can to the community! We ask that you fill out the following application so we can guarantee that everyone in our care is safe and secure.
Form for Client/Caregiver Care Goals
For Students/Volunteers:
"I really like working one-on-one with people and being given the chance to develop a stronger rapport with them. This respite program has made that desire more of a living reality and has given me valuable experience." - Geneseo Student Class of 2020 and Respite Volunteer and Intern
SUNY Geneseo student volunteers are the backbone of the Home Away from Home program. Each student receives respite care training which gives an overview of memory-related diseases, communication techniques, as well as tools for dealing with challenging situations. Our program aims to have at least one student per client so all care recipients receive personal attention.
Student volunteers and interns are also responsible for planning, facilitating, and executing fun, engaging activities for the group. We love to bring in new ideas!
If you are interested in an internship or volunteering please email: learys@geneseo.edu
Contact Us
Program Coordinator - Sharon Leary
Phone: 585-245-6057
email: learys@geneseo.edu
This program is funded in part by grants from the William and Sheila Konar Foundation, with additional donations provided by the Avon Interact Club, Avon Rotary, and various individuals and families.
For Mail:
Center for Community
att: Home Away from Home
SUNY Geneseo
1 College Circle, College Union 343
Geneseo, NY 14454
