How did the Faith in Action of San Angelo program begin?

The Concho Valley Regional Assistance Corporation, a non-profit agency under the Concho Valley Council of Governments, received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for $35,000 for a 30-month period to establish a Faith in Action program in San Angelo.

 

What is the service area?

            San Angelo

 

Who is the target group to be helped?

            Frail/elderly adults aged 60 and over and physically disabled adults of any age

 

Who is included in the Faith in Action coalition?

The coalition includes religious congregations broadly representative of the faith denominations within the community and other local social service or civic organizations and hospitals.  All faith congregations are invited to participate.

 

How will coalition partners contribute to the program?

Each of the coalition partners will bring important and unique ingredients to the program including volunteers, referrals, professional expertise, training, and financial contributions.

 

How will volunteers be recruited?

Volunteers will be recruited through faith congregations, service organizations, and publicity concerning the program, both through the media and through word of mouth.  Commitment to helping others is the most important requirement for FIA volunteers.  Formal ties with religious organizations in the community are not required to become a volunteer.  Proselytizing is not permitted.

 

What services will volunteers provide?

Volunteers will be providing supportive services, care, and companionship to homebound individuals who are frail and elderly or affected by long-term health problems.  They will also be providing respite to family caregivers.  Possible services include:

1.      Transportation volunteer - Provide round-trip or one-way transportation and accompany older clients to locations for needed health care services, grocery shopping, and other personal business.

2.      Telephone reassurance volunteer - Provide regular telephone contact to convey support and concern about the well-being and the quality of life of older adults.

3.      Errands/Shopping Volunteers - Run errands and shop for groceries, medicines or other supplies needed by homebound older recipients.

4.      Friendly Visitor Volunteer - Provide companionship, support and a needed presence for older recipients.  May read mail and help with correspondence.

5.      Helping Hands Volunteer - Provide small or minor household maintenance or repairs.

6.      Information and Referral - Help locate needed services and resources.

7.      Caregiver Respite - Provide short-term breaks for caregivers.

 

Will insurance be provided?

Faith in Action of San Angelo will provide liability insurance for their volunteers.

 

What will be included in the training?

Such things as safety issues, effective communication, realities of aging, and guidelines for building positive relationships with older adults

 

What are the benefits to the volunteer?

The volunteer can form meaningful relationships with care-receivers, interact with people of other faiths, receive professional training, and have an opportunity to live your faith.

 

How will the Faith in Action program receive referrals?

Referrals will be received from churches, local hospitals, hospices, visiting nurse agencies, and other service providers. (FIA programs should complement existing services, not replace or compete with them.)

 

Who will oversee the Faith in Action of San Angelo program?

A full-time paid program director will work with religious institutions, develop relationships with community organizations, and manage the recruitment, training, and other activities necessary to support Faith in Action volunteers.

 

A 12-15 member advisory board of directors has also been established including representatives from coalition congregations, health care and social service providers, and individuals with communications and fundraising expertise who can serve other important roles in moving the program forward and sustaining it.

 

How will the Faith in Action of San Angelo be funded?

In addition to the $35,000 provided by the grant, the Concho Valley Area Agency on Aging is providing administrative support through their Caregiver Support Program. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is providing the insurance for those volunteers 55 and older who also register as an RSVP volunteer.  Additional funds will be provided by the coalition partner churches, in whatever way each church determines.  Other funding will be available from events, individuals, businesses, and grants.