For people who want to give back to the community through a part-time job, the answer could be working as a Papa Pal.
Giving back may be one of the most important actions we take in life. There are many ways to give back to the community, whether it’s the type of paid work we do, volunteer tasks we undertake, or the charities we support. But it can be a challenge to find a job that makes a difference in the lives of others. It’s doubly challenging if you want flexible, part-time hours. The solution? Become a Papa Pal.
Working in communities across the country, Papa Pals are paid companion caregivers. They help older adults and families in their own neighborhoods, offering support with a range of tasks and activities. The role is all about companionship; there’s no hands-on care involved.
Simply stated, being a Papa Pal is like being a helpful friend.
If being a companion caregiver sounds like a great way to give back while working part-time, read on to learn more about becoming a Papa Pal.
Job Details: Pay, Hours and Qualifications
You don’t need any specific courses or qualifications to be a Papa Pal, so you can get started quickly.
Papa Pals earn an hourly base rate, plus bonuses. With bonuses, many Papa Pals earn $20 an hour or more. Plus, Papa reimburses you for any car rides (transportation visits) you provide.
As a Papa Pal, you work when you want and it’s easy to plan a schedule that fits around your other commitments. Each visit with an older adult or family, our Papa Members, is around 2 to 4 hours. You can work while the kids are in school or on weekends when you have more time; it's up to you. Click here to learn more about the application process.
Job Description: Types of Visits
Everyone has knowledge and experience from which someone else can benefit. Why not put your knowledge to good use as a Papa Pal? You can choose to provide:
Companionship: Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is sit and chat for a while. As a Papa Pal, you’ll offer friendship and company. Take walk around the neighborhood and enjoy a cup of coffee together, or help sort through old photo albums and organize new ones.
Transportation: Getting to and from appointments is a major challenge for anyone who doesn’t have access to a car. To solve this problem, Papa Pals provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, as well as the dentist, optometrist or anywhere a Papa Member needs to go. When you provide transportation, you’ll help Papa Members access the care they need. Papa pays for your mileage when you offer this type of visit.
Housekeeping and Gardening: Papa Pals help to make homes more comfortable and welcoming. You can choose this type of visit to help with light cleaning, laundry or gardening. This type of visit isn’t heavy lifting: the focus is tidying up the home and yard.
Technology: Put your knowhow with smart phones, apps and the internet to good use by helping a Papa Member stay connected. You’ll teach basic tech, such as how to use FaceTime, and explain the ins and outs of social media, streaming services and more.
Errands: Papa Pals help with a variety of errands, including grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions. Papa pays for your mileage when running errands.
Each Papa visit is unique, and there’s a tremendous amount of variety in what you do. One day, you might play board games and share fun memories. The next? You’ll provide transportation to an appointment to ensure someone gets important medical care. When you schedule visits, you can match your skills and experience to the type of visit.
Job Impact: Give Back to the Community
If you think giving back as a profession can only look a certain way, and that it must be full-time work, you’ll love the flexibility and opportunity that being a Papa Pal offers. Helping others through the ups and downs of life by working a few hours a week can be just as meaningful as any full-time role.
People who give back at work often gain much more than financial rewards.
When you’re a Papa Pal, you see first-hand how the work you do helps others. From the smiles that greet you when you arrive for a visit, to the satisfaction of knowing that your words and actions make a difference, it’s particularly enriching work.
Plus, people in your community aren’t the only ones who benefit when you’re a Papa Pal.
You’ll know in your heart that your time spent working really matters. Your contribution will make a significant difference, leading to a greater sense of personal satisfaction.
When you do work that benefits others, you’ll find that it benefits you too.
Ready to share your time and talents with your community? Click here to become a Papa Pal.
