Faith In Action/Volunteer Action For Aging

Organization Type:  Non-Profit Organization
Contact Person: Thelma Nieto
Contact Email Address:  tnieto@scanhealthplan.com
Web Site:  http://www.scanhealthplan.com

Organization Description:

Faith in Action (FIA)/Volunteer Action for Aging (VAA) is operated under Independence at Home, a case management program that is a division of SCAN Health Plan®. The program works to assist and develop, nurturing, caring relationships with frail, isolated seniors and disabled adults so they are supported in their efforts to maintain their independence at home and in the community.

On a weekly basis, volunteers provide either friendly visits or phone calls to designated clients with whom they have been matched. These dedicated individuals offer emotional support, companionship and conversation as desired by the client. The main goal is to reduce loneliness and isolation when there are no friends or family members available.

In conjunction with FAME, we provide free taxi vouchers to qualified community members who are functionally unable to drive themselves or to make use of public transportation and do not have family or friends available to transport them to medical appointments, grocery shopping or other necessary activities.

FIA/VAA also provides service as needed to clients to help with cleaning up homes and yards, helping with clutter and trash removal and other chores that seniors are unable to do themselves. This project, our Serve Day, is made possible through our collaboration with Lutheran Social Services.

One very special project is our Thanksgiving meal delivery program which has grown over the past three years to include over 400 volunteers delivering hot, freshly cooked traditional Thanksgiving dinners to over 1200 clients throughout the greater Long Beach and Southern Los Angeles County communities on Thanksgiving morning. If the clients so desire, the volunteers spend time visiting and sharing part of the day with the clients. This event has become a family affair for many volunteers and we have people who have helped for many years because of the good will that it provides the clients and the volunteers alike.

This past year, college students gathered together to spread holiday cheer to older frail adults. We look forward to continuing this tradition and having more carolers spread cheer over the holidays!

Catalyst Network Affiliations:

The Catalyst Network (in general)