Interfaith

Southern Ocean County Hospital, St. Francis Community Center and 23 area faith congregations comprise Interfaith Health and Support Services of Southern Ocean County, Inc., a non-profit, interfaith health ministry.  This program blends parish nursing and volunteer caregiving to provide free, holistic faith-based care to the southern Ocean County community.

Participants include volunteers from the congregations who share a responsibility for caring for others and providing non-medical support to those who need it.

Parish nursing is a congregational ministry where nurses from the participating congregations volunteer to provide non-invasive care, serve as health educators and counselors and act as a liaison to community services and health organizations. Nurses meet regularly at the Hospital for ongoing training and support.

The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers program trains participants who become part of the National Federation of Interfaith Caregivers, Inc., which now includes more than 800 organizations. Volunteer caregivers share their time and effort to provide specified, non- medical care to match a neighborÌs needs. Services include:

• Visiting people with special needs
• Driving those in need to a doctor's appointment
• Shopping for the homebound
• Making social calls to the lonely
• Assisting the visually impaired with paperwork
• Relieving primary care givers

Volunteers are dispatched according to location, need and availability. This inter- generational program serves all people in need and welcomes all volunteers. Interfaith unites the spirit, energy, strength and human resources of many faith congregations who share their personal and professional gifts to those in need. Services provided by Interfaith are free of charge.

For more information call (609) 489-0278.