Faith In Action Providence Community Caregivers Calls On Residents In Hood River
And Klickitat Counties To Lend A Helping Hand As New Program Gets Underway
 Faith in Action Providence Community Caregivers is recruiting volunteers to work with care recipients and their families. Volunteers are welcomed from churches, synagogues, mosques, and other communities of faith as well as the community at large. Volunteers help those in need with simple things, such as picking up groceries or providing a ride to the doctor. With this volunteer assistance, members of the community who have long-term illnesses or disabilities can maintain their independence for as long as possible. “Helping a neighbor maintain his or her independence is an extremely rewarding experience, and we’re excited to offer area residents the opportunity to experience the joy of volunteering through Faith in Action,” said Jill Dant Coordinator of Faith in Action Providence Community Caregivers.
According to data from the Institute for Health Care Research and Policy at Georgetown University, more than 12 million Americans have serious long-term health conditions that may force them to seek help with everyday activities in order to remain independent. With more Americans living longer lives, many are faced with the challenge of helping a family member, neighbor, or friend who has a disability, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, HIV/AIDS, or other long-term health conditions. Starting in 1983 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 these challenges through volunteer caregivers.
Faith in Action received a boost last year from a former television angel, Della Reese. After ending a successful 10-year run as a star on the inspiring television program Touched by an Angel, Della Reese has made it her new mission to spread the word aboutFaith in Action as the organization’s national spokesperson. “I’ve had a very fortunate and blessed life. But, it wasn’t always easy. Growing up in the slums of Detroit, I saw first hand the importance of people helping people,” said Della Reese. “I can’t count the number of angels who helped me along my way. And I know there are more angels out there who want to help. Just a few hours of your time volunteering with Faith in Action can make a world of difference in a person’s life.”
To lean how to become a volunteer, contact Providence Community Caregivers Coordinator, Jill Dant at 541-387-6404, or 1-800-955-3911, ext. 76404, or e-mail Jill Dant.
Faith in Action is a national interfaith volunteer caregiving initiative supported by a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, based in Princeton, N.J., is the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care. It concentrates its grantmaking in four goal areas: to assure that all Americans have access to quality health care at reasonable cost; to improve the quality of care and support for people with chronic health conditions; to promote healthy communities and lifestyles; and to reduce the personal, social and economic harm caused by substance abuse — tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
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