SAFE Volunteer Description
About SAFE
SAFE’s mission is “To reduce falls among older adults by raising awareness, establishing
a network of services and advocating on their behalf.” According to the CDC, one in
three persons over 65 years of age will fall and every 29 minutes an older adult dies from
a fall injury. The good news is that falls are predictable and preventable and not simply
a determined cause of aging. Specific risk factors have been researched and SAFE can
help determine and reduce those risk factors. The SAFE - Central Valley Coalition,
formed in 2011 by the Department of Physical Therapy at Fresno State and The Gait,
Balance and Mobility Research, Education and Training Center with grant support from
the California Wellness Foundation. SAFE offers balance screenings for older adults,
educational presentations, attends health fairs, offers balance exercise classes, training
for medical professionals and much more. SAFE is structured based on volunteer
membership by organizations and individuals.
About the Position
Responsibilities
 Balance Screening planning, recruiting, set up, clean up, and follow up
 Attend FallProofTM senior group balance and exercise classes
 Publish SAFE activities and events on online Community Calendars
 Promote SAFE at health fairs at local retirement communities
 Support fundraising events and campaigns
 Assist with educational presentations in the community
 Data entry before and after SAFE activities, events, and fundraisers
 Research relevant community organizations for member and sponsors
Training
 Training for this position will be provided including spotting techniques for older
adults and mini-balance screening training to be used at health fairs
Location
 Office tasks will be performed at the Center for Health and Human Services, 1625
E. Shaw Ave, #146 (Shaw and Cedar)
 Balance screenings and FallProofTM classes are held at the Terrio EDGE, 741 E.
Barstow Ave (Barstow and First)
 Health Fairs and Presentations are located in Fresno and Clovis
Dress Code
 Casual for tasks completed in the office
 Business casual for SAFE events
 Comfortable professional for health fairs, screenings and FallProofTM classes
(tennis shoes, slacks/khakis and polo)
Time Commitment
 Volunteer service projects range from one-day, short-term, and long-term service
projects
 Depends on available activities, class requirements, and schedules of volunteer
and volunteer coordinator
Qualifications and Experience
Professionalism and Commitment to Service
 Dedication to serving older adults
 Desire to learn about SAFE, including fall prevention best practices
 Ability to work well independently and on a team
 Maturity and good judgment in relating to SAFE members, sponsors, older adults
and other volunteers
 Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
 Availability, dependability, and willingness to be flexible
 Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others
Communication Skills
 Strong language and communication skills (written and oral)
 Ability to utilize social media websites
 Desire to share the SAFE mission with the community
Benefits
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Invaluable opportunity to make a difference in the lives of older adults
Opportunity to earn academic credit through certain classes
Professional training in the field of fall prevention and balance
CPR and First Aid Training through the American Heart Association, offered
once per month, usually on a Saturday
For more information about SAFE activities, volunteering, internships and
service-learning projects please contact Ashley Hart at
ahart@csufresno.edu or (559) 278-7539