INTERFAITH  CARE
Interfaith   Caregivers  Trenton/Faith   in  Action,   Inc.

Interfaith Caregivers Trenton/Faith in Action, Inc. (ICT) is a coalition of 25 member congregations and AARP. The non-profit organization, founded in 1994, is dedicated to promoting the independence and dignity of homebound elderly and people with disabilities by matching them with volunteers who assist with the tasks of everyday life.

To accomplish our mission, ICT works to strengthen existing outreach ministries of member congregations while also linking them with the network of community health care and social service organizations.

Through a web of faith communities, ICT provides non-medical services that are beyond the scope of most home health agencies and social service providers but are nonetheless critical to maintaining community living for elderly and disabled persons. Among the ICT programs offered are:

•      Transportation      Services,      including     shopping and errands.

•      Friendly Visiting, including clerical assistance.

•      Chore   Services,   including   indoor   and   outdoor chores and repairs.

•      Short-term Respite, and

•      Telephone Reassurance.

Currently, the coalition consists of twenty-five congre­gations. The member congregations work to identify health impaired, economically disadvantaged, and homebound elderly and disabled persons in need of services. Volunteers are recruited from the congregations and the community and are matched and assigned to care-receivers according to specific guidelines. In-service training and workshops are offered by ICT to group leaders on a continuous basis to maintain and develop skills to better serve the target population. ICT staff members, together with group leaders, provide orienta­tion and training for volunteers at churches, temples, and community organizations throughout Mercer County. Social service and health care organizations from the community collaborate with ICT to offer training on specific topics. ICT also provides various volunteer recognition, award activities and events.

From October, 2005 to November 2006, ICT served over 300 people. All persons served were either frail, eld­erly, homebound, wheel chair bound, used an assistive device for ambulation, or were blind. Over 11,000 hours of service were provided including 5,300 hours of transportation/shopping services, 1,600 hours of home visiting, 2,245 hours of respite services, and 800 hours of chore services Of the persons served, 83% of clients are age 60 or over, 52% live alone, over 32% are racial/ethnic minorities, and 20% had an income at or below the federal poverty level.

Congregations who wish to join, volunteers who would like to help, supporters who would like to provide needed funding are all welcome to participate in this faith-based effort. We also welcome seniors and people with disabilities who need friendly assistance to call us at 609-393-9922. Remember, "A neighbor's independence depends on you."

 

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 Renaissance Magazine is starting its twelfth year. Originally founded by Project Care, Renaissance Magazine is now the official publication of the New Jersey Foundation for Aging. Consistent with the Foundation, Renaissance Magazine's mission is to provide education, information and entertainment to mature adults. Over its twelve year history, Renaissance Magazine has grown in readership from 5,000 to over 100,000 readers today.

Over that same time, Renaissance has also expanded its geographical reach from its origin in Morris County to its current reach into all of Northern and Central New Jersey. Readers reside in more than 14 counties throughou New Jersey. Editorially the magazine has always stayed focused on the interests of mature adults. However as the magazine has grown it has expanded its editorial outlook by providing articles with content that is more appealing to an ever growing younger population of adults age 50 and over. Articles cover diverse subjects from astronomy to healthy cooking to computer savvy.

With its roots in the not-for-profit sector, Renaissance has fostered strong working relationships with other not-for-profit organizations and regional government agencies that serve older adults. Renaissance is not only the official publication of the New Jersey Foundation for Aging but it also provides a communication forum for the Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Bergen, Middlesex and Mercer County Divisions on Aging.
 

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