Bond unites people
with a common cause

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

At 81 years old, with various health issues and no family in the area, Lee Segal counts on Common Bond Caregivers.
Common Bond Caregivers is the volunteer program of the Community Care Center of the Northeast, a non-profit agency that has provided health-related and companion services to homebound, chronically ill, physically and developmentally disabled and elderly residents of the Northeast since 1985.
The volunteer program has been in existence for 12 years. It provides companionship visits, telephone calls and transportation and chore services.
Segal has used the service for the last five years. The Rhawnhurst woman, who is fighting breast cancer and back and leg ailments, no longer drives. So, she relies on volunteer drivers to take her to Super Fresh and her doctor’s offices at Jeanes Hospital.
"They’ve just been wonderful," she said.
Segal has a driver’s license for identification purposes, but no car. She lives near a SEPTA bus stop on Bustleton Avenue, but her back bothers her on the bus trip.
"It’s much better to be picked up," she said. "It’s reliable, and there’s more security. Door-to-door is safer."
Then, there’s the personal touch. Segal works closely with Judy Dietrich, the volunteer coordinator and dispatcher who’s been with the agency for a decade.
John Dietrich, Judy’s husband and a former SEPTA bus driver for 28 years, is usually Segal’s driver.
"We help people out and accommodate them," he said.
The philosophy of Common Bond Caregivers is to pair drivers and clients for security reasons. The clients get to know their driver and vehicle.
"It’s been wonderful being with Judy and now with John," Segal said.
Since 1995, the drivers have had to use their own vehicles, with only partial reimbursement for gasoline.
Now, thanks to a grant from the First Hospital Foundation and some money from the Union Benevolent Association, Common Bond Caregivers is now driving clients in luxury in a silver 2007 Honda Odyssey, which holds up to five passengers comfortably. The seats fold down, making it easier to transport groceries.
"It’s a big need we’re looking at in the future," CCCNE administrator and founder Jean Langenbach said of transportation services. "Most (baby) boomers want to be as independent as they can. People want to get out and do things."
For what the agency calls a $7 "donation fee," drivers will take clients to and from medical appointments in the Northeast, local grocery stores, senior citizen group meetings and some senior citizen centers.
The volunteer organization is calling the new program, which began on Monday, "Wheels for Independence."
"We stress independence," said Mike Domer, CCCNE’s assistant administrator. "We want to keep people in their homes for as long as possible."
All drivers carry picture identification and undergo criminal background checks and a review of their driving history. They are required to be safe, punctual, courteous and dependable.
Judy Dietrich said conversation is important, especially since some clients rarely leave their homes other than to go shopping or visit the doctor.
Common Bond Caregivers volunteers are there to celebrate good news or to shed a tear with clients, depending on how their medical appointments go. They’ll sometimes take clients on scenic routes through Winchester Park or the Fox Chase Cancer Center campus.
To be eligible, senior citizens and the disabled must be ambulatory and live in the following ZIP codes: 19111, 19114, 19135, 19136, 19149 and 19152. The service is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Our dream is to go beyond those ZIP codes," said Judy Dietrich, adding that the ultimate dream would be to have a "fleet" of vans.
CCCNE is expanding in one way. Over the years, the agency has had three locations in the Holmesburg area. Soon, the staff — including popular Yorkshire terrier Lucy, used for pet therapy — will move from 8015 Frankford Ave. across the street to 8012, the site of the former Holt’s stationery store.
Langenbach believes Wheels for Independence will continue her agency’s mission of servicing the needy of the Northeast.
"We’ve done it for twenty-two years, and we’re not going to stop now," she said. "We’re here as a resource to the community. Get in touch with us. We’re here for you." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com

Get the Wheel information . . .

Staff for Wheels for Independence will be at the John M. Perzel Community Center, at 2990 St. Vincent St., on Friday, April 13, from 10:30 a.m. to noon to sign up people for the service. The registration is part of a Smart Living Series presentation.
To volunteer for Wheels for Independence, call 215-335-4416. Senior citizen organizations are welcome to call to request a speaker.
More information is available at communitycarecenterphila.org