Agency Details:

Hearts And Hands: Faith In Action

Hearts and Hands: Faith in Action connects the elderly, those with health concerns, and their care givers in underserved communities with trained volunteers ~ to uphold their dignity ~ to improve quality of life ~ to enhance their ability to live in their home of choice.

Description:
Hearts and Hands: Faith in Action (HHFIA) is a non-proselytizing faith and community based volunteer organization providing non-medical support services to seniors and the disabled in underserved communities of Erie County. We are currently serving the Newstead, Alden, the Tonawanda Indian Reservation and Wales communities. Our program is a best efforts and no charge delivery of services. Our trained volunteers provide friendly companion visits, ‘Phone Pal’ safety calls, house keeping and lawn care, and minor handyman services. They also provide door through door transportation for medical appointments and for other errands. Our focus is on services that enhance nutritional status, foster socialization, increase physical activity, and provide access to medical, dental and other health services. If we cannot provide a requested service, we will refer that request to an agency that is able to meet the need.

History:
Founded in January, 2003, Hearts and Hands was formed by a coalition of churches that span many denominations including Roman Catholic, Lutheran, United Methodist and others. We began through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in response to the needs of this rural area that is 23-30% over the age of 60 and is without public transportation and has limited support services for the elderly and disabled. We currently are serving 250 people and their families with approximately 120 dedicated volunteers. We bring a new peace of mind to care receivers and their families by filling the need when family care givers are unavailable due to work schedules or living out of the area. Approximately 80% of our services are transportation for everything from medical, dental, and therapy appointments to local errands for grocery shopping, hair care, visiting friends, and even the trip to the local Senior Center to participate in their social and meal programming.

Our overall goal is to enhance our care receivers' quality of life and promote their independence.

We are currently supported by our 25 coalition members, the United Way and other local funders, along with contributions from the individuals we serve and their families. In our 6 years of operation, we estimate that we have provided approximately $700,000 worth of service value to our care receivers.

We are proud that we are known for our compassion and cost effectiveness in meeting the needs of the underserved communities of WNY.

Contact people:

James Bender, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Tammy Fisher, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Lois Thurnherr, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (716) 542-2229

Address:

50 John Street Akron, NY 14001 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.heartsandhandsfia.org

Directions:

Take Route 5 through Clarence, then take a Left at Rt. 93(Buell Street, Akron, NY. Follow Rt. 93 to John Street and take a Right. 50 John Street is a red brick building on the left side of the street.. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: none,   Walk distance (in minutes): n/a   Nearest Bus Stop: n/a - no public transportation to our town, na minute walk

Last updated on July 8, 2009