The History of Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Fayette County

In February 1991, Trinity United Presbyterian Church of Uniontown developed a Senior Ministries Program to meet the needs of the elderly living in six congregate living facilities for the elderly and numerous apartments located within half a mile of the church.

The Partnership
The demand for services from outlying areas of Fayette County soon outstripped the resources of the Senior Ministries Program.

The program was designed to provide physical, social and spiritual support services. The Director of Senior Ministries recruited volunteers from Trinity United Presbyterian and other churches to provide telephone reassurance, friendly visit, respite for caregivers, grocery shopping and home maintenance.

Steering Committee
A Steering Committee was formed in the Fall of 1992, to implement the recommendations of the 84 participants in the Conference Community Support for the Elderly.

As word of the program spread, referrals were received from a variety of home health and social agencies, churches and families throughout Fayette County. The Senior Ministries Program was filling a definite service gap created by funding cuts, waiting lists, which led to drastic reductions or elimination of much need services to a high risk vulnerable population, the disabled and frail elderly.

Faith In Action Program
In February 1994, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers was awarded a Faith in Action from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.