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Lee
IVC is a Faith in
Action organization
that provides non-medical, quality of life services to seniors in need. |
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Our Mission
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Lee Interfaith Volunteer
Caregivers is a network of diverse congregations, business, and caring
individuals within Lee County, who are dedicated to the tradition of serving the
unmet non-medical needs of the elderly, permitting them to maintain their
independence and dignity, and improve their quality of life.
Geographical
Areas of Service currently include greater Fort Myers, North Fort
Myers, Cape Coral, East Fort Myers, Tice, Buckingham, Lehigh Acres, South Fort
Myers, and Iona.
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Historical Profile
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In March 1993, an Elder Abuse Task
Force was formed to address the overwhelming non-medical needs of the frail
elderly in Lee County. The task force was composed of the Emergency Medical
Service, health care agencies, social workers and elder service agencies who
identified numerous instances of the need for in-home assistance which could not
be met through existing resources.
The Task Force learned of the
Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation's Faith in Action Program
- Interfaith
Volunteer Caregivers Program (IVCP). The IVCP model was developed in 1984. There
are currently over 1200 successful IVCP's in the United States and Guam. The
National Federation of Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers provides the initial
financial support (through the Faith in Action Program), organizational
and technical support to assure future success.
Fort Myers IVCP was awarded a
start-up grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Faith in Action
Program in May of 1995. The first volunteer orientation/training was held
in late August of 1995 and the volunteers were assigned Care partners
the
following month. Realizing the rapid growth and need of our elderly, a sister
organization - Cape Coral IVCP - was formed October 1988 with
start-up grants from the Robert Wood Johnson's Faith in Action Program
and Southwest Florida Community Foundation. During its first six months of
operation over 100 elderly Cape Coral residents called requesting services.
To date, our coalition of
churches/temples/synagogues has expanded to 24; 528 adult volunteers and 236
youth have been trained, and over 30,000 hours of community service have been
provided to more than over 1,075 individuals or couples living in the area. Of
our first 1,075 Care partners, 841 were between the ages of 75 and 100; 605 lived
alone and an additional 174 requested respite, as they were the primary
caregivers of their spouse. In 1999, 7,853 services to the elderly were reported
by our volunteers, totaling 11,990 hours of community service.
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Contact Information
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| Fort Myers
E-Mail:
leeivc@cees.net
Toll Free: (800) 350-7438
Phone: (239) 936-4544
Fax: (239) 936-5069
Mail: Lois A. Taylor
3595 Broadway Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
Cape Coral
Toll Free:
(800)
350-7438
Phone: (239) 573-8323
Fax: (239) 573-8324
Mail: Mary Mueller
2507 Del Prado Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33904
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