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BACKGROUND
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Faith
in Action in
Greater Sherburne County was developed, and exists, to provide volunteer
and caregiver support services to the community.
Our
program was begun in 2003 to help meet gaps in services for the elderly
and disabled living in this area, as determined by a needs analysis done
in 2001, which showed there were not any other providers offering these
services without charge in the greater Sherburne County
area.
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Serving
Others
Volunteer
Program
Caregiver
Program
Youth
Initiative
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SERVING OTHERS
3
Programs, 2 Hands, 1 Passion
Our
mission of Creating a more caring community using our hearts and hands” is
met through the three related programs described below.
OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: “Doing small things with great love.”
Faith
in Action in Greater Sherburne County, now known as Great River Area Faith
in Action, has always been passionate about the premise that as we serve
others so are we serving God. Although we have changed and grown over the
last four years, we have never wavered from that principle foundation. We
continue to be just as passionate today about our initial purpose of
coordinating volunteers from the church and community as we were four years
ago.
To date, nearly three thousand people have given of their
hearts in visiting, listening and sharing and used their hands by raking,
driving and cleaning. These direct services have helped many to remain
living in their own home, but more importantly, to know that they are
loved.
Our volunteers will record almost 15,000 hours of service
this year alone, with a devoted core of more than 300 adults providing
ongoing, coordinated services each month. Hundreds more share their time or
specific skills in helping with events such as Rake the Town, serving on
the Board of Directors or even assisting with fundraising.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and are all ages;
including seniors, families, students, girl scouts, baby boomers, church
and civic groups alike, even those who have previously received our
services now want to give back, by paying it forward.
All of this has led to our Volunteer Program quickly
becoming one of the largest faith-based volunteer programs in the state of Minnesota.
OUR CAREGIVER PROGRAM
SEASONS “Caring for those who care for others.”
This
program rose out of the need to support the family caregivers we were
coordinating volunteer respite for. Seeing their needs were far beyond just
an occasional break, a passion stirred within us to serve them with more
formal services. So in 2004 we began another program focused on caring for
the caregiver. Family members who are taking care
of a loved one, whether it is an aging parent or a spouse who is ill, are
supported by professional staff members who act as family consultants.
The consultants coach and counsel the caregivers so they
have the information, skills and tools to confidently continue providing
care during this season of their life.
By using creativity, collaboration and compassion we have
cared for well over 400 area family caregivers through one-on-one support,
educational workshops and support groups.
We currently are the only caregiver program in the Central Minnesota area.
OUR YOUTH INITIATIVE
THE BRIDGING PROJECT “Bridging today’s youth with tomorrow’s leadership
through people and their stories of yesterday."
With reason, relationships, relevancy and responsibility in
mind, we started an intergenerational youth initiative in the fall of 2006
to bridge youth with their elderly neighbors.
The Bridging Project is based upon the legacy of a
former student volunteer, Bridgett Stoll who died as a result of an
accident; it seeks to To date, more than 700
youth have participated in service projects and opportunities for friendly
visiting.
Using the word “BRIDGE” as an acronym, youth are
equipped with relational skills prior to the projects in which they will
serve, ensuring their time of service will be meaningful and relational.
The next phase of The Bridging Project will be an
“adopt-a-grandparent” program that will begin later this fall. Students
will be given opportunities to develop long-term relationships with an
older neighbor in their community and “adopt” them. The idea also stems
from the legacy of this former student volunteer, as it was one of her life
goals to create such a program in her community.
THROUGH
OUR 3 PROGRAMS we serve, using our 2 hands we will bring hope and help to
many, while centering on our 1 passion of serving God by serving others.
Great River Area Faith in Action. 13074 Edgewood St. Becker MN 55308. (763) 263-4277
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