The Senior Companions Program at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council in Parkersburg, WV Senior Companions is providing in-home service for Veterans of past and present war and older WV adults. A series of hands on in-service training designed to attract local veterans and older adults was start on October, 2011. This was to help get people out and introduce them to the Senior Companion Program and give them a chance to meet the people that volunteer for The Senior Companion Program. Veterans and many older adults just do not trust letting someone come in their house and be a part if their life. This is due to culture related issues that we as WV are able to take care of ourselves and if we need help our family will help us. This culture belief is not always true as many older adults and veterans find out when it becomes time for help in the home. In our society today younger family members are working and have families of their own. In the past there were family members that could give of their time to help out a loved one in time of need such as in-home service or respite relief to care givers of a risk individual. Some of the hands on in-services training included Working with Feed the Children Food distribution, Craft Day at senior centers, FaithLink Annual Dinner (fund raises), Adopt a Nursing Home for Christmas (personal care products), AARP Blizzard Box Project, Make a Differences Day Personal care bags for veterans, needy and the homeless and The Children of Incarcerated Parents Project for Christmas and Easter presents. There are other projects planned for the future. This hands on approach to in-service training has helped move the Senior Companion Program at the Mid- Ohio Valley to the front lines in addressing true community need and worthwhile community project as well as build the senior companions self-esteem , awareness of other community needs, and build our reputation in the communities we serve. The Senior Companions of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council of WV are truly trying to make Independence a Reality