Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu and his wife Regina have been interacting with seniors online and with phone calls. (photo courtesy of the 4th Council District Office)

Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, has launched a Senior Outreach Program to provide direct assistance to older residents and create volunteer opportunities for people who want to help.

The program connects volunteers with seniors in their areas and is managed by Mon Ami, a digital platform that recently partnered with the city of San Francisco. Ryu’s program is a partnership with L.A. Works, which coordinates volunteer programs in Los Angeles.

“We will only get through this crisis by working together and finding creative ways to help our most vulnerable,” Ryu said. “Our seniors are vulnerable not just to COVID-19, but to social isolation and difficulty getting their basic needs. Through our Senior Outreach Program, we are calling seniors across Council District Four directly and connecting them with volunteers who can pick up a prescription, buy groceries or check in with a friendly conversation.”

Mon Ami usually coordinates in-person visits with isolated seniors using its smartphone app. With in-person visits not feasible during the public health emergency, the app has been repurposed to enable volunteers to call isolated seniors and coordinate trips to stores for groceries, prescriptions and other essentials.

Ryu’s program is the first Mon Ami partnership in the city of Los Angeles. Volunteers are sought and must fill out an online application and go through a background check.

“Now is the time for us all to come together and play our part,” said Mon Ami co-founder Madeline Dangerfield-Cha. “Even before COVID-19, seniors were at great mental and physical health risk due to social isolation. We can use our technology to show these individuals how much they matter and that we are here for them, no matter what. We’re excited to partner with Councilmember Ryu and the city of Los Angeles to keep seniors connected with their community.”

Since launching his Tenants Outreach Program on April 8 in partnership with L.A. Works, Ryu’s staff and volunteers have sent 11,322 texts and made 1,719 calls to tenants and vulnerable residents of the 4th District.

To sign up to volunteer for the Senior Outreach Program, visit app.monami.io/phone-bank/welcome. For information, visit davidryu.lacity.org.