Program aims to help elderly, disabled
The county?s Faith in Action CARES organization has received a $10,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help fund the program, which provides in-home help and visitation for the elderly and disabled.
Warren County Faith in Action CARES (Caring About Rural Elderly Society) began in July 2005 with Tish Watson as director. It is a faith-based program, and as such is run by an inter-faith coalition which is made up of a number of volunteers from local organizations and churches.
?We have all different faiths coming together and using the Senior Center as a central location,? Watson said.
The program started with an initial grant of $25,000.
?I wrote a grant to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,? Watson said. ?It?s a nationwide program, Faith in Action, and they accepted our grant proposal. The program started with a $25,000 grant. Then they give you 18 months to fund raise $10,000, and if you do, they will give you an additional matching grant of $10,000, which is what we just received.
To date, the program has raised $10,730 through a variety of methods, including chili suppers, recycled cans, and a booth at the Autumn Street Fair. Local businesses, government, organizations and individuals also make donations to the program, Watson said.
According to its mission statement, the program is designed ?To improve the quality of life for individuals with long-term health needs, including the elderly and disabled, to help guard against feelings of isolation by help them live independently with dignity in their own homes for as long as possible.?
One of the unique aspects of CARES is that, even though it is administered out of the Senior Center, it isn?t limited to seniors. Disabled adults of any age who are living on their own can utilize the service.
Though funded through grants and matching fundraising efforts locally, much of the program depends on volunteers, who make the visits and perform the services.
?The way the program works is when someone needs services they call the Senior Center,? Watson said. ?And the first step is for me to go out and do an outreach with them to find out what their needs are. Then I call a volunteer, tell them who I have and what they need, to see if they?re interested in working with that person.?
Watson says the program currently is quite successful in Warren County, but is in dire need of volunteers.
?What is a major concern in our program right now is we have 90 CARE recipients, and we have 25 volunteers,? Watson said. ?So we need a lot of volunteers.?
The only real requirements are that volunteers have to agree to a criminal background check, and otherwise just be able to physically handle the services, some of which, like light lawn work, does require some physical labor. Volunteers are expected to work around four hours a month, or about one hour per week, since program participants receive weekly visits.
Watson pointed out the program is particularly in need of able-bodied male volunteers who can do minor home repairs and maintenance, such as replacing fuses or light bulbs in hard-to-reach areas. Watson says anyone, even responsible school children 13 or over, from middle school to high school age, can participate.
?We would be glad to have them,? Watson said. ?As long as their parents don?t mind transporting them to the homes.?
Some of the services provided by the program include:
? Grocery shopping
? Medicine/commodity pick-up
? Simple household chores
? Bill paying
? Miscellaneous errands
? Telephone reassurance
? Visitation
? Respite (relief for caregivers)
? Simple yard work
? Home improvements
? Temporary meal delivery
For more information on receiving services, volunteering, or making a contribution, please contact Watson at 473-6559.