Commentary; Posted: 1/5/05
Support programs that help those in need
With a declining economy and yet another large state budget deficit looming, concern is mounting for programs that help the needy in all communities.
During this first week of the new year, when many families have plenty, there are people in Minnesota, many who are unemployed or under employed, who need help.
Every community in this area sponsors a non-profit agency that assists those in need. To be sure, state and federal agencies help those who are less fortunate than most.
In Forest Lake, Community Helping Hand and Family Pathways are two non-profit organizations that provide help in many ways to those in need.
There are some model community programs in the Twin Cities Area. Among them are CAER in Elk River, and the Interfaith Hospitality Network in Cambridge. In most cases, a church or a group of churches sponsors the programs.
One program of note is in Princeton, which won an Outstanding Community Initiative Award, sponsored by the Initiative Foundation, based in Little Falls. The Princeton program is called the Rum River Interfaith Caregivers, involving 27 churches.
This program relies on 100 volunteers who are caregivers to individuals and families in difficult life circumstances in the area of Zimmerman, Princeton and Milaca.
A key to making this program work are Caregivers Executive Director Teresa Nelson and her assistant, Andrea Alferness who have paid positions, along with Judy Hovis, a Vista Volunteer from Americorps. These three have the heart and the enthusiasm which is contagious. They match requests for help mostly from homebound people with volunteers, many who are retired and are non-working spouses.
Last year 2293 acts of compassion were conducted by the caregivers. These services include respite care, transportation, visiting, installation of a lifeline, support group and providing practical resources to improve the life of a cancer victim.
Volunteers have built a wheelchair ramp for a man who was unable to get out of his home for a year, delivered groceries to a couple in the country for three years, transported a man to dialysis three times weekly for two years and gave a gift of tools to a cancer patient which strengthened him emotionally during chemotherapy and recovery.
Twenty-seven churches are involved, providing volunteers and some of the funding for the $85,000 annual budget. A 12-member board of directors is headed by Art Skarohlid, a local banker.
Skarohlid says volunteers make the program work. Fund-raising is always a problem, he said. Funding comes from civic groups such as the American Legion, the Jaycees, the Lions Club and the Rotary Clubs.
This program works because it is faith in action, an extension of the work of individual church members serving the greater community.
This award-winning faith-based model is worth imitating.
More information can be obtained by calling 763-389-3762. It is an organization for which many are thankful in the Princeton, Milaca and Zimmerman area. ó Don Heinzman
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605