On March 3^rd, 2015, The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a Proclamation recognizing the YANA volunteers (You Are Not Alone).

Being alone is one of the greatest fears older adults have as they grow older. The YANA Program has been credited with saving the lives of many older adults who live alone and have fallen or become sick during the night. For the past 16 years through the dedicated efforts of the S.T.A.R. (the Sheriff’s Teams of Active Retirees) Program and volunteers with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, YANA volunteers have provided daily telephone calls to our most vulnerable seniors and disabled adults living in El Dorado County.  This is a free service, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

In partnership with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency Director Don Ashton and El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini, the YANA volunteers last year served over 400 people and contributed over 1250 volunteer hours.

During the Proclamation, Sheriff D’Agostini and Director Ashton thanked these dedicated and wonderful volunteers who have saved the county well over a half million dollars. Sheriff’s Office STAR Program volunteers Jack and Mary Pratt, Carolyn Selby, Michael Slusher, Frances Christiansen, and Lea Snowden along with El Dorado County Health and Human Services volunteers Ellen Yevdakimov, Doris Nasson, Jenny Figuero, and Kitty Hamilton were honored for their contribution and commitment to the YANA Program and their community. Director Ashton read a note from one of the seniors thanking the volunteers.  Two members in the audience made their way to the podium and personally thanked the volunteers for calling on them.  One speaker even joked, “Thank you for calling even when I wasn’t there…but you kept calling until you got me.”  For any questions, information, or referrals, contact YANA at (530) 621-6255.