Faith in Action Helping Hands

Faith in Action Helping Hands is founded on the idea of community volunteerism and neighbors helping neighbors.

Volunteers from churches and community organizations work together to offer God's love to their neighbors by easing their loneliness and isolation and making a difference in their lives, particularly for the frail elderly and chronically disabled.

We strive to help people remain independent in their communities and maintain their sense of worth and dignity.

Youth are also involved in service and work together to mow yards, do light housework and clean ups.

Volunteer services include: Shopping for groceries, providing transportation, doing light housekeeping, friendly visiting and picking up medications from local drugstores.

For the past five years, the Faith in Action program has teamed up with the Community Nursing Program at University of Southern Miss. USM student nurses, under the supervision of Community Nursing Instructors, visit throughout the semester each Faith in Action participant. Students monitor oxygen, take vital signs, make sure medications are organized, monitor home safety through the TRIAD program and really get to know their “patients.”

The students have gained real hands-on experience and much insight and appreciation for the elderly and have gone the extra mile for their clients. Students have provided clothing, small pieces of furniture, and celebrated birthdays to just name a few. The FIA clients get more out of the visit than just a medical check-up. They enjoy the company and some of the more independent clients have baked small goodies for “their nurses”. Each client looks forward to seeing their nurses return and make sure we keep them on the list!