NEST Programs
Nevada Ensures Support Together
Friendly, volunteer-hosted social support for Nevada’s elders, veterans, and people living with disabilities — a phone call, a small Zoom circle, or a patient hand with technology.
Built in the Year Nevada Stayed Home.
When COVID-19 struck in March 2020, Nevadans were asked to “stay home for Nevada.” While much was unknown, a group of aging services professionals were certain of one thing: we must protect Nevadans from the threat of social isolation. And so, the NEST Collaborative was born – a volunteer-driven effort aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness among elders, veterans, and people living with disabilities.
Throughout the height of the pandemic, the NEST Collaborative offered friendly, virtual, volunteer-hosted social support programs, including weekly one-to-one phone calls, Zoom-based social groups, and individualized technology assistance.
- Elders
- Veterans
- People living with disabilities
A Nest Nevadans Built Together.
- 350+ Nevadans served by NEST Programs
- 4,000+ Hours of volunteer service given
- 3 Programs: Calls, Groups, and Tech
- 4 Nevada organizations offering NEST today
What NEST Programs Set Out to Do.
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Provide informal social support to combat loneliness and social isolation.
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Provide a virtual opportunity for participants and volunteers to connect and develop reciprocal relationships.
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Provide telephone-based technology assistance.
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Connect Nevadans across the state to build a stronger statewide community.
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Help Nevadans access additional community resources.
Three Ways to Connect.
Every NEST program is hosted by a trained volunteer, and every volunteer is supported by organizational staff throughout the entirety of their service.
NEST Calls
A friendly call, up to twice a week.
- Participants receive a friendly call up to twice a week from a NEST Calls volunteer.
- Participants and volunteers experience a reciprocal relationship built simply through chatting about their lives, hobbies, and current events.
- If desired, volunteers help connect participants to local resources through the network of aging and social services.
- Volunteers provide informal social support and are supported by organizational staff throughout the entirety of their service.
NEST Groups
A small Zoom circle that meets once a week.
- Participants gather in a small group via Zoom to develop a network of mutual support.
- The groups are hosted by a NEST Groups volunteer, who helps facilitate while still maintaining an unstructured format.
- Groups meet once per week and consist of 6–8 participants.
NEST Tech
A weekly call that builds technology confidence.
- Participants are connected with trained volunteers to help address their technology needs.
- Participants receive a weekly phone call from their volunteer, who works to build participants’ capacity in using technology.
- Volunteers assist with Zoom, email, social media, and anything else! The goal is to position the participant to more effectively use technology independently in the future.
Looking to adopt NEST Programs in your community or organization?
NEST Programs are packaged and ready to adopt. The DEER Program helps aging and social services organizations across Nevada bring NEST Calls, NEST Groups, and NEST Tech to the people they serve.
Where NEST Is Offered Today.
Four organizations in Nevada are currently offering NEST Programs. Reach out to one of them today to take part, or to volunteer.
This program is funded by Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division.
