GIVE - In Home Support Program:

GIVE In Home Support Program, began with a start-up grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and has been a part of Senior Services since 1998. GIVE is one of 20 programs that make up the Faith In Action Network Collaborative of Michigan. Faith In Action is founded on the ideal of “neighbor helping neighbor” and together with AARP, recruits volunteers from different faiths to help individuals who need assistance with daily living activities.

GIVE offers volunteers 18 and older, the opportunity to provide free assistance to seniors and the disabled, to help them remain independent and in their own home.

Services Offered
Visiting
Transportation
Shopping
Telephone Reassurance
Light Housekeeping
Light Meal Preparation
Light Yard Work

In 2007, 26 volunteers assisted 26 seniors and people with disabilities a total of 1,254 hours.

Last year the Collaborative received a $75,000.00 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to spread the word about Faith In Action in Michigan.

This spring, Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts Coach and Michigan native, graciously donated his time and talents to record DVDs and Public Service Announcements, to recruit volunteers for the Michigan collaborative.
 

For more information about GIVE, a member of the Faith In Action Network Collaborative of Michigan, visit us on the web at www.faithinactionmi.org

Want to join?  Call Kathleen Kelleher, GIVE Director at (269) 382-0515 Extension 127 or, email Kathleen at kkelleher@seniorservices1.0rg

A little of your time can make a big difference!

Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd. Rumi
 

Award recipients

In 2007, GIVE and RSVP volunteer Art Nichols received one of 12 STAR (Sharing Time and Resources) Awards given out annually to recognize volunteers who donate their time and talent to community projects. Art won the “Career Volunteer” award, paying tribute to his life long dedication to helping others. In 2007, he assisted 189 clients and reached 470 people in his 10 community presentations for the MMAP (Michigan Medicare and Medicaid Program).

GIVE volunteer Kristy Finney received the “Outstanding Volunteer Award” at Senior Services, Inc Annual meeting in May. Kristy has been a member of GIVE since 1998, providing in home support to seniors and the disabled. In addition, Kristy has been a member of RSVP’s Advisory Council for over 6 years, serving two terms as President and also served on Senior Service’s Fund Development Committee.

GIVE In the community:
KAVA (Kalamazoo Association of Volunteer Administrators)
WMU Bronco Bash
National City non-profit Fair
KVCC’s non-profit Fair

Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer:

V itality is a by product of helping others. Volunteering is good for your health!
O pportunities are endless; chose what you want to do.
L earn something new; it’s never too late for a new beginning.
U nderstand the challenges people face and lend a hand.
N eighbor helping neighbor – what more can I say?
T each students, teach life lessons, take a stand.
E nergize. Jump off the couch and into action!
E nvision what you would like to change and begin. Recruit others by example.
R efresh, Renew, Resolve to get involved!!

It’s FUN!!! Think parties, think new friends, think a makeover, a new YOU!!!


“The joy that compassion brings is the best kept secret of humanity…a secret that has to be discovered over and over again.” Henri J.M. Nouwen