ElderHelp of San Diego

Alan Sorkin, Lead Partner

“We are so excited to be working with Social Venture Partners! They have a unique understanding of how social enterprise can elevate our agency to one which is sustainable and viable within the increasingly competitive world of nonprofits. With their expertise, we will execute a new strategy to provide something to seniors and their families that does not currently exist.” – Leane Marchese, Executive Director

Together for over 65 years, the Epsteins had outlived their only child and now faced their final years knowing they might have to leave their home. Mr. Epstein was struggling to take care of his wife, who had Alzheimer’s disease. He could no longer drive—yet he desperately wanted to remain at home with his childhood sweetheart.

A neighbor connected the Epsteins with ElderHelp. ElderHelp matched the Epsteins with a Care Manager and an energetic and caring volunteer named Peggy, who quickly became their friend. Peggy drove them to and from medical appointments and shopped for their groceries twice a month. Peggy’s care and companionship enabled the Epsteins to remain at home.

For 35 years, ElderHelp has supported independence for thousands of seniors like the Epsteins with free personalized information and services. With the over-65 population more than doubling in the next two decades, ElderHelp must expand its funding to include fee-based programs to continue serving low-income seniors. By partnering with SDSVP, ElderHelp can achieve its social enterprise goals through the ElderHelp Concierge Club, which gives seniors and their families access to information and services at affordable membership prices.