Great River Area Faith in Action

GREAT RIVER AREA FAITH IN ACTION:
Strengthening our communities...one caring relationship at a time.

Our programs:

• WE CARE TEAM
• LIVE WELL AT HOME PROGRAM
• THE BRIDGING PROJECT
• THE GREAT ROOM IN ELK RIVER

(VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT GRA-FIA.COM FOR A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF OUR SERVICES!)

ONE OF OUR STORIES:

VIVIAN'S STORY: Losing your home in a fire is hard at any age-but especially when you're elderly and have no family members remaining to help you get re-established. Some well-meaning people tried to help 'Vivian' by finding her a new place to live-but it was miles away and in another town. Unfortunately, once there Vivian found herself taken advantage of by some heartless people. Being so far away from her church, her doctor and the only support system she had left, she didn't know what to do. Desperate, Vivian called Great River Area Faith in Action for help. We not only helped get her to her medical appointments, but our Social Worker helped her find a senior-living apartment back in her old community, near her doctor and church-where she was safe and people no longer took advantage of her! At the close of 'Moving Day' she wrote on her calendar "moved into 7th heaven". Vivian is pictured here doing her "happy dance" with Kari, one of her volunteers-or 'friends' as she would say-who helped her pack and move; and with Amy, her case worker.

SANDY & MIKE'S STORY: As young professionals, 'Mike and Sandy' had a lovely home, a beautiful family, and were living out the American dream. Then cancer struck. Suddenly life seemed out of control; even overwhelming. Sandy called Faith in Action looking for help for her husband to get home from chemotherapy. But by getting connected to one of our "Caregiver Coaches" Sandy not only found a volunteer driver to help Mike get home from his therapy appointments, but another regularly scheduled volunteer who provides child care on a weekly basis so Sandy can get a respite from the demands of being a fulltime working mom, a caregiver and sole breadwinner. Coach Heather also helps Sandy with planning services and offers support; all which help her to remain well-and able to continue working while providing care for Mike and their children. These days Sandy says she is feeling less overwhelmed by life-thanks to the support and services she receives from Faith in Action. She says, "I can now focus on choosing to live every moment to the fullest instead of worrying about what tomorrow may bring."

LAURA'S STORY: Laura was a junior simply looking for service hours for a school project. But by connecting with our intergenerational program, The Bridging Project, she not only found service hours-but her life's calling. She recently said this after participating in one of our service days, "Saturday was fabulous! Thank you so much for all you do for the community. Each year for NHS Rake the Town is my favorite act of service that we participate in, and I am so glad that I have had the opportunity for the last 2 years to be in charge. This year I had 19 kids from NHS serving with me and it was so great to see! And what made it even better is that they all had a wonderful time. Serving the elderly through Rake the Town, has shown me that I have a deep love for them. Being that I am a Senior trying to figure out what God wants next for my life, I discovered that maybe my call is working with the elderly." By partnering with over 40 area churches and other community partners, our organization will serve hundreds of people in need this year, bringing life and love to those most in need of hope. Together with over 1,000 adult and student volunteers we ARE making a difference in our community!

THROUGH THESE STORIES AND MANY, MANY MORE, WE ARE MEETING OUR MISSION AND STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES ...ONE CARING RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME !