Interfaith Senior Programs Shares Highlights At Annual Meeting

Interfaith Senior Programs of Waukesha County was excited to share their 2009 highlights with attendees at their annual meeting held in Menomonee Falls at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Carol Lombardi, President, Board of Directors, welcomed the group to the meeting and shared and an overview of the evening before introducing Terry Sutter, Treasurer, Board of Directors. Sutter highlighted, “The organization is fiscally healthy with a good revenue mix. Our key in 2009 was controlling expenses.” Staff members were congratulated on staying focused on ways to reduce expenses and continue to operate the agency without affecting the services to clients and volunteers.

Kathy Gale, Executive Director, shared the big picture highlights of the agency in 2009 including continued success of the two major programs, Faith In Action and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). New developing programs for the agency are The Caregiver Connection, a United Way initiative combining many social service agencies in a collaboration of caregiving services. Gale shared, “In 2009, 436 individuals received support and year to date in 2010 over 900 individuals have been helped.”

In addition, a Transportation Collaboration which includes seven county agencies are working together to remove transportation as a barrier to accessing needed services for those the agencies serve. Interfaith has taken on leadership roles in both projects.

Faith In Action Volunteer, Miles Vilski shared a short testimonial with the audience. He started his volunteering service in 1985 with Interfaith. Vilski volunteers for the Transportation program where he takes clients to and from medical appointments, the Safety and Security program providing clients with minor home maintenance assistance including lawn mowing and keeping track of forms, letters and bills. He does public speaking for the agency to encourage others to get involved and serve in the community.

To end the evening a letter was shared from Scott Walter, Principal of Riverside Elementary School, Menonomee Falls, who praised the involvement of the RSVP Seniors and Students Program in their school. Seniors are matched with elementary school students to assist with their development of reading, math and writing skills.

To learn more about volunterring opportunities visit www.interfaithwaukesha.org.