Problem

Older adults identify transportation as one of the five top barriers to independent living. Their concerns range from getting rides for essential needs like health care and groceries to quality of life opportunities like trips to the church and volunteer jobs. Others find home repair tasks changing a light bulb or setting up a new phone can be difficult. Without assistance, older adults can become isolated, and unmet needs can quickly push them into unwanted institutional care settings.

The Gift

Your gift will offset some of the fuel costs that volunteer drivers for Faith in Action Caregiviers incur on behalf of the elderly, taking them to their appointments in the Austin area. Now in its 23nd year, Faith in Action Caregivers (FAIC) uses a team of almost 200 volunteers from 17 different faith communities to help older adults maintain their independence and improve their quality of life by offering a number of free services such as transportation, help with errands, home repair, and home and telephone visits to older adults in Central and West Austin. In 2006, close to 5000 rides and errands were provided, more than 800 home and telephone visits were completed, and almost 9000 hours of volunteer service were donated.