Interfaith Caregivers of Trenton is an interfaith coalition whose primary objective is to promote the independence and dignity of homebound elderly and people with disabilities by matching them with caring volunteers who assist with the tasks of everyday life.
Founded in 1994 by the Trenton Ecumenical Area Ministry, Interfaith Caregivers of Trenton (ICT) was established in an effort to address the growing needs of seniors in the Greater Trenton Area.
ICT works to strengthen existing outreach ministries of member congregations while also linking them with the network of community health care and social service organizations.
Currently, the coalition consists of 25 congregations representing diverse faith traditions with nine of the member congregations being Roman Catholic: Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd, Divine Mercy, Our Lady of the Angels, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, all in Trenton; Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, Hamilton; St. Ann, Lawrenceville; St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square; Incarnation-St. James, Ewing; St. Mary, Bordentown, and St. Vincent DePaul, Yardville.
Each congregation identifies a group leader to coordinate its volunteer program. ICT supports the group leaders and their congregations in recruiting and training volunteers, managing volunteer programs, identifying potential clients, assessing client needs, referring clients to congregations and other appropriate resources, and evaluating and improving their volunteer programs. ICT provides non-medical, non-personal services including: caregiver training; transportation services; shopping and errands; friendly visiting; clerical assistance; indoor and outdoor chores and repairs; short-term respite; telephone reassurance.
During 2009, ICT provided 10,467 hours of volunteer service to 322 elderly care receivers.
The services provided by volunteers include 4,844 hours of transportation/shopping services, 2,145 hours of home visiting, 1,255 hours of respite services, and 917 hours of chore services.
To become an ICT volunteer or for more information about how your church can get involved , contact Jane Latini or Gabriela Sikorski Gill at 609-393-9922. The next two-hour training will be held Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. and again at 7 p.m.
