Here to Help
Paul Brown and Ruth Ward work to help local seniors fill their needs and solve their problems.
The Senior Services Network helps seniors with financial needs and daily tasks
By Erin Jones
At a recent giveaway event through Senior Services Network, founder Paul Brown noticed something unusual. He had thousands of pounds in food and household supplies to give away, and he was eager to get it into the hands of people who needed it most. Yet, multiple people told him they felt guilty taking the food, even though it was a much-needed provision.
It’s not easy to ask for help. Many people carry with them a stigma instilled since childhood that asking for help is shameful. Others may not be aware that help is available or even know where to look for the help they need.
Paul Brown has seen all of these predicaments. That’s why he founded the Senior Services Network, where the mission is “to connect seniors to the services they require for independent living using our extensive network.”
SSN particularly seeks to help those who fall into a category called the ALICE threshold, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The term describes people who fit into a tricky category of earning above the federal poverty level but below what is needed for a quality standard of living.
The statistics for Washington County are revealing, and Brown cites the 2022 census to reveal just how many fall into this criteria. The 2022 census found that of the 28,000 Washington County residents over the age of 65, nine percent are living in poverty and 46 percent fall into the ALICE threshold.
Or to put it another way, the federal poverty line is $15,650 for a one-income home, but the living wage required to meet basic living expenses is about $42,000. Those caught in the middle make too much money to qualify for many low-income benefits but not enough to keep up with the cost of living in Washington County. Paul Brown created SSN to help folks bridge that gap.
A native of Hagerstown, Brown joined the AirForce at 17. After spending several decades in Ohio, he returned to Hagerstown in 2013. Before retiring, he worked as county coordinator for the Special Olympics in Ohio and an accountant for the Arc of Washington County, which provides support to adults and children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
His heart to help people did not go away after his retirement. His wife, Ruth Ward, came home from volunteering at the senior center and mentioned to him how many elderly individuals need help with simple tasks like cleaning gutters or changing a fan.
In 2018 he started a business to meet this need, calling himself the $25 guy. The model was simple. He would do whatever needed to be done for $25 an hour. There would be no upcharge or hidden fees, because the cost was in the name.
“I called myself the $25 guy because I wanted seniors to know that I’m not expensive,” he says.
Business took off, and as he spent more time with seniors who needed his help, he noticed another need: there were very few programs available for people in the ALICE threshold.
“These are individuals who have assets, but they may have just a house or they may have some savings or some retirement money in the IRA. That’s ‘asset limited.’ Their income constraint is they live on social security or on their retirement and maybe a part time job. They were either employed somewhere, most of their life or they’re still employed part-time.” Brown says.
Someone living in the ALICE threshold may feel their finances are tight, but not precarious. Then when an unexpected expense arises like a car repair or an appliance that needs to be replaced, they are left scrambling to come up with the money and facing difficult financial decisions.
“Those are the people that I set up the organization to help,” Brown says. “There are resources out there, but they’re limited. There are programs out there, but they’re limited. So, to be able to help navigate those seniors towards some of those programs, that’s what I aim to do.”
Senior Services Network became a 503(c) in June 2024, and is still growing into the vision Brown has for the non-profit.
Some resources SSN provides directly. For example, Brown acquired a contract with Amazon, which donates food and household items. The first shipment was 7,000 pounds of food and supplies and the second was 9,000 pounds. SSN initially had a giveaway from its Hagerstown office space, but found it was more effective to bring it into a more accessible space. Summerland Manor began hosting the giveaway in its community room. More than 200 people came to get food and supplies the next month, and Brown received letters of gratitude from people who were helped.
SSN has also launched a transportation program, utilizing vetted volunteer drivers to provide door-to-door service, to go to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or anywhere they need to go. The cost of the ride is a pay-what-you-will donation.
SSN also offers education and advocacy. A recent seminar included a talk on how to use an iPhone, navigating apps and the technology involved.
As the volunteer force grows, Brown would like to create a Senior Safety Patrol that will help with situations like busy street crossings and parking garage security.
In addition to providing resources directly, SSN provides a network of expertise.
“We can’t offer services ourselves for all the things that individuals need, but I know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody.” Brown says. “We’ll get you the answer. We’ll get you some information. We’ll do what we can to hook you up with those services.”
Brown hopes to expand SSN, both in its offerings, its volunteer base, and the network of people who can offer referrals. When he encounters the barrier of shame associated with asking for help, his message is clear, “At some point in time in your life, you need help. We’re here to help you.”
SSN will be hosting a fundraiser in partnership with Sloan School of Music on September 20, at Meritus Park. If you need help or would like to be of help, get in touch with the Senior Services Network at www.seniorsvcsnet.com.