A VISTA volunteer will work with the organization on a drug assistance program.

LEWISTON – Catholic Charities Maine is the newest member of participating community organizations that will serve as sites for Senior $ense, a new University of Maine Center on Aging program.

Seniors served by Catholic Charities Maine in Androscoggin and Washington counties will benefit from the three-year $1.3 million grant to fund 30 new VISTA volunteers from the Corp. for National and Community Service, which funds AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America programs around the U.S.

The Senior $ense program will involve the recruitment, training and placement of VISTA members in more than 15 community organizations throughout Maine. They will develop innovative financial, employment and consumer counseling services and resources for seniors living in poverty.

Financial difficulties can be overwhelming for older people, many of whom are dealing with a variety of other challenges at the same time.

Senior $ense will focus on developing ways to make available customized community resources and services that precisely respond to the difficulties associated with living on limited and fixed incomes.

The decision to place a VISTA person in Lewiston will allow Catholic Charities to participate in developing and designing strategies for different organizations to work together to make sure people don’t fall through the cracks in the delivery system.

Senior $ense will work with the Catholic Charities prescription drug assistance program that is developing a focus in Lewiston.

Senior $ense will also use technology to expand its reach to all people who might benefit from it. A comprehensive, interactive and user friendly Web site will be constructed where financial, consumer and jobs resources will be available to all older adults, their families and the health and human services personnel who work with them.

Catholic Charities Maine Home and Family Services will help to recruit the individuals to serve as VISTA volunteers. They receive training and support, as well as a monthly living allowance plus a cash award at the end of their service.

Becoming a VISTA volunteer is a good way to begin or expand a specialty working with the elderly or to gain work experience in a field that will only grow in importance and job opportunities as the over-60 population grows in the coming years.