After 20 years, big changes at Chore

SHARON — Twenty years ago, Ella Clark, social service agent for the town of Sharon, founded The Chore Service.Clark had become increasingly concerned about local elderly residents, especially those with modest incomes, who needed affordable help to live safely and independently in their homes and to maintain a high quality of life for as long as possible.In 1992 Chore began by helping two families in Sharon. Now, in its 20th year, Chore is serving 250 clients (with the support of 100 part-time workers) in North Canaan, Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, Salisbury/Lake­ville and Sharon.Lea Davies, president of the Chore board of directors, attributed the organization’s growth to Clark’s devotion and leadership. “She is amazing at providing first-class service and keeping overhead low.” Davies said the nonprofit’s administrative costs are only 8 percent, meaning 92 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to Chore workers and projects.When she founded Chore, Clark took the advice of the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging and adopted the guidelines for the federal Older Americans Act program. Unlike state-run programs, this model did not put liens on elderly clients’ properties in exchange for services. Clark felt this was very important because some seniors were reluctant to take advantage of state programs since for many, their homes were the only assets they could hand down to their children. Additionally, Clark said, “They would more readily accept a service toward which they could contribute.”This year on Sept. 1, Clark is retiring as Chore’s executive director. She will, however, maintain her part-time position as Sharon’s social service agent. For the past 20 years, Chore and the office of the social service agent have shared an office at Town Hall. On Aug. 1, Chore will move from Town Hall to the offices in Sharon Valley of the Foundation for Community Health. A new executive director is still being sought. Certainly the organization’s work continues to be vital. “Due to the growth of an aging population, we expect Chore to grow as demand for our services increases,” Davies said.Chore has become more modern, using technology such as the Internet for fundraising, for helping prospective clients learn about what Chore offers and for interested part-time workers to submit applications.Chore has an annual operating budget of $500,000, and depends on funds raised by an annual appeal, newsletters that are distributed twice a year and from its major fundraiser, the annual garden party gala.This year’s gala will be held on July 14, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the home of Pam Wilson and George Mason on Juniper Ledge Lane in Lakeville. Tickets are $45. For information, email Clark at ellaclark@sharon-ct.org or go online to www.choreservice.org and click on “garden party 2012.”