HISTORY OF FAITH IN ACTION FOR MONROE COUNTY

The Faith in Action for Monroe County (formerly the Monroe County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers) concept was inspired as the result of a 1990 video presentation, produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging 1B (AAA 1 B). The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation offered to assist faith communities in establishing groups of volunteers to meet the needs of older persons in their communities. The foundation offered to provide startup grants and technical assistance to those groups who were able to come together as an interfaith coalition and establish an independent nonprofit corporation.

The concept of faith communities providing volunteer caregivers was welcomed by the Monroe County Opportunity Program Home Care Service Program. There was a serious need for respite care for individuals and families who were caring for a loved one 24 hours a day. Many families were asking for only a few hours to run errands, buy groceries, or take are of their own medical needs. An effort was made to introduce the concept to the Monroe County faith communities. However, it soon became evident that far more time would be necessary to develop an independent coalition of faith communities in Monroe.

Meantime, in 1992 a volunteer respite care program was funded by AAA1 B and added to the homemaker and personal care programs provided by MCOP Home Care Service. A coordinator was hired and volunteers were recruited and trained. In the spring of 1994, AAA1B offered a new service category to those respite care programs which would like to become established as an Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver Program (IVC). They would fund a two-year transition period during which current programs could establish themselves as an independent nonprofit organization. The target date was October 1996.

In June 1994, an IVC Steering Committee was formed consisting of clergy and community volunteers. In November 1995, we were awarded a $25,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The steering committee composed a statement of purpose, wrote by-laws and articles of incorporation, and applied for 501C (3) status. A board of directors was recruited and in place by November 1996.

Faith in Action for Monroe County (formerly the Monroe County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers) is currently a viable organization made up of dedicated volunteers who serve their community as board members and/or caregivers. Their common goal is to help provide care and compassion for those in need in their community. On October 15 2002, at a regular Board meeting, the Board of Directors voted to change the name from Interfaith Volunteers Caregivers to Faith in Action for Monroe County.