CareSharing: A Mutual Service Exchange Program--Guidelines for Replication

The publication describes how Generations Together, an Intergenerational Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Living-at-Home program of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, established CareSharing: A Mutual Service Exchange Program. The pilot program resulted in over 40,000 volunteer hours by 200 community volunteers. The program used the concept of service credits, in which services or goods are exchanged for hours of volunteer service. CareShare developed a store that sold health and beauty aids, household supplies, paper products, greeting cards, books, and toys. These guidelines provide a step-by-step discussion of the design, implementation, and maintenance procedures of CareSharing (including staffing of the program, setting up the store, and keeping records of volunteer hours and store data). The publication also includes copies of articles related to other similar programs, a directory of such programs in the United States, and copies of forms that could be used to run a service credit program.