The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Project is encouraging people to put their faith in action and volunteer to assist elderly and disabled in the community. IVCP will host a free training session Saturday providing information on how to offer assistance.

Volunteers’ duties include home visits, telephone reassurance, transportation to doctor’s visits,
running errands, reading books, or respite for the caregiver in the home. The volunteer caregiver is paired with an elder whose needs match the care the volunteer can give.

"It only takes an hour or two a week to satisfy those needs,” said Elisa McKay, project director. “We always need volunteers, because our elders always have a need. Whatever one can do to help is appreciated."

Janzie Allmacher, a nurse, and McKay will co-facilitate an Interfaith Coalition training from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. A continental breakfast will be provided for all participants.

The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Project, a program of the Interfaith Coalition
of St. Croix, is in its 15th year. This project was initially funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 1996. They have trained more than 200 volunteers and served almost twice as many elders and people with disabilities.

Services have been provided for referrals from the Department of Human Services, VI Perinatal, Inc., the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, the elderly housing units, Seaview
Nursing, other agencies, relatives and neighbors.

To register for training and for more information as to location and such call McKay at 778-6263.