Down Memory Lane: In the beginning..
Looking Back: Faith in Action celebrates 15 years of service to Bloomington/Normal
In 2006 Faith in Action started serving people 60 years and older, but the story actually began in November 2003. Some parish nurses had read an article about Faith in Action and reasoned that by combining their congregational volunteer resources they could serve not only their own church families but the Bloomington-Normal community as a whole. With the support of the Area Agency on Aging, PATH, St. Joseph Hospital, BroMenn Hospital, Community Cancer Center and various church partners applied for a start-up grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. FIA of Bloomington/Normal received one of the last grants awarded in this area of service. Acting under PATH, as fiduciary agent with the guidance of Karen Zangerle, Faith in Action began organizing a coalition of churches and community members to provide services in the Bloomington/Normal area. Early Volunteers provided rides to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping and initiated a program of Friendly Visiting. As time went on Light Home Maintenance, Telephone Reassurance Calls, and Transportation for personal errands was added to the services provided.
The initial grant was for $25,000 with the promise of an additional one-time $10,000 grant (provided that the organization could raise $10,000). The FIA Founders were blessed with contributions from churches and along with various fund raisers, they were able to raise the $10,000 needed to get the matching grant dollars.
In 2007 The FIA Board was faced with the dilemma of what to do in the future. PATH had agreed to handle the initial grant monies but when the grant ran out PATH was no longer obligated to act as fiduciary agent for Faith in Action. The choices were to find a new non-profit sponsor like a hospital or form our own 501 c.3 non-profit organization. The FIA Board of Directors chose to form a new non-profit. With the help of Steve Roszhart, Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal was granted 501 c.3 non-profit status. As an independent program FIA is solely responsible for raising and managing funds. All money raised go directly to support the program. FIA does not receive federal or state funding. It is funded through grants, fund raising efforts and donations. No Care Receiver is required to pay for any services. There are many ways to support Faith in Action financially: choose Faith in Action Bloomington-Normal as your charity of choice on Amazon Smiles or Kroger grocery store. Send a check directly to Faith in Action, 600 E Willow Street Suite 201, Normal, IL 61761 (located in the ARC building).
Submitted by Sandy Holcomb, FIA Board of Directors