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Faith in Action is an interfaith volunteer caregiving initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Local Faith in Action
programs bring together volunteers from many faith to work together to
care for their neighbors who have long-term health needs.
Faith in Action volunteers come from churches, synagogues,
mosques and other houses of worship, as well as the community at large.
Volunteers help those in need by providing non-medical assistance with
tasks such as:
- picking up a few groceries or running errands
- providing a ride to the doctor
- friendly visiting (talking and listening)
- reading or helping to pay bills.
With this volunteer assistance, members of the community who have
long-term health needs can maintain their independence for as long as
possible. Although, each Faith in Action program is unique in the services provided and care receives being served, there are five basic characteristics (Program Model) all programs have in common.
Starting in 1984 with the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Program and continuing in 1993 with the introduction of Faith in Action,
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has supported faith-based community
efforts to help meet this challenge with volunteer caregivers. The Faith in Action
program was founded on the ideal of community volunteerism of neighbors
helping neighbors. With more Americans living longer lives, many face
the challenge of helping a family member, neighbor or friend who
suffers from arthritis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS, or
other long-term health condition.
In 2003, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a study
commissioned to identify program characteristics associated with
interfaith volunteer caregiving program survival. The study, conducted
by Public/Private Ventures (P/PV), analyzed data collected from
programs funded in Generation II (1993-1999) of Faith in Action. View the executive summary. View the full report.
These efforts have helped to create hundreds of interfaith volunteer
caregiving programs across the country. Search by state or zip code to find a program in your area. The national program office offers Faith in Action
programs support and advice on developing successful, sustainable
caregiving programs that can serve their communities for many years to
come.
