JP@Home, a grassroots membership group with the mission of keeping aging residents at home as long as possible, is “up and running,” according to Ethos executive director Dale Mitchell.
The group was scheduled to have a formal launch party April 9, after the Gazette deadline.
JP@Home, which is partnering with Jamaica Plain-based Ethos, lets members join in a group purchase of such services as home visits and transportation, enabling them to live in private housing rather than a nursing home. Ethos is a nonprofit that has been serving southeast Boston’s seniors for four decades. Its mission includes keeping seniors living in private homes as long as possible.
Mitchell said in a phone interview with the Gazette that JP@Home has been running for “a couple of months” and that he is “very excited” for it. He said that Ethos decided to delay the official launch of JP@Home because of the record-breaking snow.
“It’s a great opportunity for Ethos, a breakthrough for Jamaica Plain and peace of mind for the membership,” he said.
Mitchell said members have shown a lot of interest in recreational and social opportunities, book clubs and eating out. He also said there were many inquiries about removal of snow and ice dams during the winter onslaught.
Asked if there has been any challenges, Mitchell said that with the ‘creation of any new program or service,” there are “new challenges,” but that there are “no insurmountable hurdles.”
Sandra Storey, a Gazette columnist, helped co-found JP@Home.
For more information about JP@Home, call 617-522-9042, email [email protected], or visit ethocare.org.