Faith in Action

Faith in Action of Montgomery County, Inc. and its relationship to The Senior Connection.

“Your neighbor’s independence depends upon you.”

These few words capture the purpose of the Faith in Action National Network movement. Volunteers play a vital role in helping older neighbors remain independent.  The knowledge that there is someone available to help, when they can no longer drive or when they need other assistance, comforts the individuals served by our wonderful volunteers.

This movement began with twenty-five Interfaith Volunteer Care-giving programs, which proved so successful that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation set aside $25,000 startup grant awards to nine hundred (900) programs willing to use the same proven model of care giving used by the original twenty-five programs.  All nine hundred awards were issued as a result of the Generation II funding efforts, and the foundation later issued twelve hundred (1,200) additional grants through its Generation III awards. To reinforce the  $25,000 startup grants, awardees were given the opportunity to apply for one additional $10,000 sustaining grant following a successful and proven startup effort.

While the foundation ended its funding of Faith in Action programs following the success of Generation III, the Faith in Action National Network continues to provide technical support and ongoing program resources to its members in the same manner as provided previously by the foundation.  Entertainer Della Reese was named as National Spokesperson and remains dedicated to this model of care giving.  The model uses volunteers from a variety of faith perspectives, along with volunteers recruited from community resources, including: neighborhood associations; civic groups and media relations throughout the wider community.

The Allied Silver Spring Interfaith Services for Seniors Today (ASSISST) was fortunate to receive a grant and was one of the successful startups as a result of Generation II funding.  The Seniors Interfaith Resource Center (SIRC), while not started as a result of a Faith in Action grant, did receive its Generation II funding in the second or third year of operations.  Following the merger of these two agencies, The Senior Connection selected to continue providing the services based on the Faith in Action model of care giving.  For more information on the Faith in Action National Network visit www.fianationalnetwork.org

  • Text Size
  • M
  • L
  • X

  • Slideshow

    Get the Flash Player to see the slideshow.

  • Testimonial

    Dear Senior Connection,

    Thank you for providing the volunteer to transport me to and from physical therapy twice this week.

    I particularly appreciate having a service such as this. For folks (such as myself) who live alone and whose relatives do not live in this area, it is both helpful and needed. This is especially true because most of my friends and neighbors work during the day.

    Thank you again,
    Lillian H.