NorthStar Neighbor: New Nonprofit Launched to Assist At-Risk Residents

Self quarantine may be causing many seniors and at-risk individuals to feel isolated. But a new nonprofit called NorthStar Neighbor is aiming to tackle that issue. 

NorthStar Neighbor provides at-risk individuals with remote companionship and conversation and help with delivery of food or prescriptions. 

Jeff Johnson, a Hennepin County Commissioner from Plymouth, is leading the effort. The initiative is founded by a group of volunteers and is not part of any government program. 

“We just match a volunteer who has time to help somebody who needs some extra help right now,” said Johnson. “Nothing complex here at all, there’s just a lot of people who need a lot of help and there’s people who want to help. We’re just connecting them.”

The program was launched two weeks ago, but there were already 100 volunteers in the first three days. Johnson said they’ve also made a couple dozen matches.

“This is a two-way street. The people volunteering are really providing a gift to people who need some help, but the people who are asking for help are providing a gift to people who desperately want to help someone right now and maybe don’t have any other avenues for it,” Johnson said.

Anyone wanting to volunteer or needing a match can click here or call 612-430-8899.

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