Faith in Action

Health Partners - A Physician Hospital Organization

Faith in Action

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We are located in the Pat Walker Center for Seniors located on the corner of Appleby and North Hills Blvd. on the Washington Regional Medical Center campus.

Washington Regional Campus and Parking Map
Pat Walker Center for Seniors Road Map

"A Neighbor's Independence Depends on You!"

Mission
Faith in Action is a volunteer based organization providing homebound seniors with free non-medical services to promote their independence, dignity and quality of life.

History
Faith in Action was born out of the need to provide urgent care and transportation to those without it in Northwest Arkansas. It was formed as a project of the Washington Regional Foundation in 1996 through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Faith in Action is now funded solely from grants, Savor the Flavor, United Way of Northwest Arkansas, and donations from faith groups and individuals.

Locations Served
Faith in Action coordinates services in Washington and Benton Counties.

Community Needs
In Northwest Arkansas, there are seniors and people with disabilities living with many unmet needs, including lack of access to adequate transportation, inability to maintain their homes or living situations.

According to 1999 Arkansas Department of Human Services statistics, 475,300 Arkansans were 60 years or older. This represents 18.7% of the population and is the sixth highest percentage in the country. Approximately 26.5% of all older Arkansans lived alone. 32.8% of older Arkansans live in six counties - two of those six are counties that Faith in Action serves -Benton and Washington Counties. In Washington County, 14.9% were 60 or older with 10.2% living below the poverty level and 7.1% living with mobility and self care limitations.
According to the National Center of Health Statistics, in 1994-95, over 6.5 million people of the older population reported difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living which included preparing meals, shopping and doing housework.
In the United States, according to the Administration on Aging, about 31% (9.9 million) of all non-institutionalized older persons in 1998 lived alone.

Our Neighbors
With the growing elderly population and lack of family support, many in our communities are being admitted to nursing homes prematurely because they can't meet basic needs and have no where to turn for assistance. Even worse, they feel overlooked by the same community they love so much. For example, a 77 year-old man living alone in a rural area of NWA, was unable to do the basic necessities, such as driving a car, cooking or cleaning his home. He had no family and no one to turn to for help. Except Faith in Action. Because he had so many needs, four volunteers were matched with this gentleman and are enabled him to remain in his home and feel valued. The volunteers provided over 30 hours a month of visiting, cleaning, shopping and helping with chores all in the name of love.

2006 Award
In 2006, the Arkansas Eldercare Volunteer Corps presented Faith in Action with the Intergenerational Volunteer award in Arkansas in recognition of the use of volunteers aged 2 to 84 years. In 2000, the same group awarded Faith in Action the Most Innovative Volunteer Group award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service to senior citizens.

Program Operation
Faith in Action operates under the guidance of the Washington Regional Foundation and the Faith in Action Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is composed of representatives from the Northwest Arkansas community who are concerned about the homebound elderly.

Volunteer Commitment
Faith in Action relies solely on volunteers to provide services. Volunteer time is very flexible. Depending on what the volunteers choose to do, they can work as little or as much as they want as it fits into their schedule. Volunteers attend a two to three hour training that prepares them for their volunteer experience. Volunteers also receive a comprehensive training manual for reference. Volunteers provide services such as:

Transportation - making it possible to leave the home and to keep an appointment.
Shopping - helping to keep food and other essentials in the home.
Respite Care - relieving a spouse or parent for a few hours in caring for a disabled spouse or child.
Friendly Visits - providing seniors who are socially isolated a friend and companion once or twice a week to just visit.
Telephone Reassurance – calling to visit and check on those who are homebound and alone.
Chore Assistance - helping to keep the disabled person's home safe and livable who does not qualify for other programs.
Yard-work - helping to keep the lawn mowed or leaves raked when the client is unable to do such tasks.
Minor Home Repairs - providing minor repairs in the home that are essential to living.

Faith in Action volunteers are friends who visit and do what they can to make a real difference in the life of the needy individual or family. Click here for more information on volunteering, upcoming training dates and a printable volunteer application.

Personal Benefits
Volunteers feel enriched, knowing that they are contributing to someone else's life. For clients, Faith in Action has meant a new sense of independence and confidence. It has taken away the worry of finding a way to the doctor or getting groceries. It helps them to feel loved in a society that seems "too busy" for them. Some clients are so moved by the compassion shown to them; they want to become Faith in Action volunteers also.

"Neighbors helping neighbors" is not a new concept, but one that deeply touches the lives of volunteers and clients. It also addresses the serious needs of the homebound elderly. Faith in Action empowers the community, bringing it together to fulfill a greater purpose: to love and care for others.

2007 Accomplishments

FIA volunteers provided 3,763 services to the frail, homebound aging in Benton and Washington counties.

617 escorted trips to medical appointments
292 assisted trips to the grocery store
346 in-home assistance with household chores
592 "Friendly Visits" to relieve social isolation
42 minor home repairs
57 visits to help read mail for the blind
1,424 telephone reassurance calls to the homebound for safety and socialization

Annual Fund-raiser
Faith in Action relies on the community for financial support. One way is through a fund-raiser called Savor the Flavor. Savor the Flavor is a self-guided restaurant tour, during which ticket-holders visit participating restaurants in Fayetteville's Dickson Street area and to taste samples of one or two of the house specialties. Mark your Calendars! Savor the Flavor 2010 will be held on September 7th, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Get Involved!
There are a variety of ways to be involved in this important ministry of helping others. You can:

Become a volunteer!
Be aware of others - someone you know may need Faith in Action
Contribute Financially – Faith in Action relies on the community for funds and in-kind gifts
Sponsor Savor the Flavor - Many levels are available.
Become an Advisory Board member
Commit a group to get involved to help with a service project

If you are interested in joining Faith in Action in one of these ways or would like to receive a quarterly newsletter, please contact the office.

Leaving A Legacy
Although, the services provided by Faith in Action are free to our clients, they are not without cost. We hope that you will consider making a gift to
Faith in Action so that we can continue to serve others in need. Below are some financial ways that you can make a difference for others in Northwest
Arkansas:

Memorials
Honor Gifts
Bequest
Charitable Lead Trust
Gifts of Appreciated Property
Charitable Remainder Unitrust and Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
Charitable Gift Annuities
Life Estate Agreement

If you give, you will have the joy of knowing that your concern for others will continue to be addressed for years to come. You may make a tax-deductible donation to Faith In Action by contacting Washington Regional Foundation.

Speaking Engagements
Is your group, church or organization interested in knowing more about Faith in Action? Someone is available to speak at your next meeting, service or event. Please make arrangements with the office one-two weeks in advance.