NEIGHBORS SERVING NEIGHBORS IN STEARNS COUNTY

Helping seniors live independently in their homes

Faith in Action is a national movement founded on the ideals of community volunteerism and built on a philosophy of neighbors helping neighbors. Many Americans have stepped up to help a family member, neighbor or friend who suffers from arthritis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, or other long-term health condition. These efforts have helped to create hundreds of interfaith volunteer caregiving programs across the country, which are supported by a national Faith in Action network.

Benedictine Living Community-Cold Spring Faith in Action serves our local communities by connecting seniors age 60 or older who need assistance (and their caregivers) with neighbors who are able to offer support. Trained in social work, psychology, and volunteer coordination, our volunteer staff helps seniors remain independent in their homes with resources tailored to each person’s needs:

Senior Support

  • Support Planning: We can help identify services to help you live well at home, plan for the future and provide ongoing support.
  • Friendly Visiting: Volunteers visit with seniors, caregivers and other people facing difficult life situations, sharing their joys and trials.
  • Chores: Volunteers provide services such as snow removal, yard work, etc.
  • Transportation: Volunteers provide rides to people who have no means of transportation.
  • Housekeeping: Volunteers clean and wash clothes for people who cannot do these things on their own.
  • Simple Home Repair: Seniors and people with disabilities often need help with simple home repair and modification.

Family Caregiver Support

  • Powerful Tools: This educational program will help you take care of yourself while caring for a relative or friend. You will benefit whether you are helping a parent, spouse, friend, someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country.
  • Respite Care: Everyone needs a break sometimes. We offer companion services to relieve caregivers.
  • Memory Care: This is a program that works with caregivers caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia. Special focus is placed on education regarding dementia and building a caregiver’s support network. Learn more about Dementia Caregiver Support Group here.
  • Consulting: Taking care of a loved one can be difficult and it helps to talk to someone who understands. A caregiver consultant can provide you with useful information, help make referrals to services that can assist you, and be a sympathetic ear on difficult days.

Where Does Benedictine Faith in Action Serve?

Benedictine Faith in Action serves rural Stearns County and the St. Cloud metro area, including Albany, Avon, Cold Spring, Kimball, Melrose, Richmond, Rockville, Sauk Centre, St. Joseph, and St. Cloud/Waite Park/Sartell/Sauk Rapids.

For more information about Faith in Action, contact Ashley at (320) 247-9790 or Ashley.folwarski@benedictineliving.org.

Caregiver Tips

  • Take Time for Yourself: Find a private place and spend time there daily.
  • ​Involve others: Actively look for ways to involve other family members, friends, and neighbors with your loved one.
  • ​Look for Community Resources: A caregiver consultant can help you identify these resources, or you can call the Senior Linkage Line (800) 333-2433, and they can inform you about options in your area.
  • ​Set Reasonable Goals: Take your feelings into account. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Ask for help when needed.
  • ​Take a Break: Everyone needs time to relax and regain his/her energy for another day.
  • ​Recognize Your Loved One’s Abilities: People who need help also desire independence. Allow your loved one to assist in their own care whenever possible.
  • ​Call Faith in Action: Whether you need respite care, a caregiver consultant, or simply someone to talk to, we are here to help. Call (320) 247-9790 and ask to speak with Ashley.

​How is Faith in Action Funded?

  • Individual Donors: Individual donations make up an important part of Faith in Action’s budget. Please consider making a donation so that Faith in Action can continue to serve seniors and people facing difficult life situations. Many of our donors like to give through givemn.org.
  • ​Grants: Partial funding is provided under contract with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging through the Older Americans Act and through the Live Well at Home Grant with the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
  • ​Cost Sharing: People receiving services are asked to share in the costs related to that service. Cost-sharing dollars are used to cover volunteer recruitment, training costs, insurance, and staff administrative time. These costs are explained during participant registration. Nobody will be denied services based on their willingness or ability to pay.
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Volunteer Opportunities

Homemaking Volunteer in St. Cloud/Cold Spring: Provide one to two hours every other week of light homemaking for an older adult in the community. This may include help with grocery shopping or picking up groceries for those who are homebound.

Snow Removal Volunteer in St. Cloud/Cold Spring: Don’t mind the snowy Minnesota weather? We need your help providing much needed snow removal. Sign up to help an individual, or two, in your area with snow removal this winter. Opportunities available for shoveling or snow blowing.

Transportation Volunteer in Melrose/Albany: Assist those without transportation access to get to medical appointments, the grocery store, and other transportation needs. Commitments can be as little as one ride a week to several. Mileage reimbursement provided.

Use the contact form on this page to apply and note Volunteer Opportunities.