The United Way of Allegheny County has selected Family Services of Western Pennsylvania's Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers program to receive enhanced funding for the in-home, non-medical volunteer services it provides to enhance the independence, home safety, and quality of life for area older adults. In December 2010, the United Way announced grants totaling more than $2 million to ten outstanding community-based agencies for initiatives designed to help elderly and disabled adults stay in their own homes. Funding will begin in April 2011 and may be renewed through June 2014.

IVC is working in partnership with the Faith in Action program of North Hills Community Outreach to train and dispatch volunteers to serve seniors across Allegheny County. Our shared vision, to be realized through the Open Your Heart to a Senior volunteer recruitment campaign begun in 2009, is that every frail senior who needs help will be matched with a caring volunteer.

Medicare Counseling Available through Family Services of Western PA

The Allegheny County APPRISE State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which provides free, confidential counseling for Medicare beneficiaries, is part of a growing menu of senior services available through the Community Partnerships division of Family Services of Western Pennsylvania. Family Services operates APPRISE in partnership with the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging. Trained APPRISE counselors can help beneficiaries, family representatives, and care managers understand their Medicare options and choose a plan that fits their needs. APPRISE staff and volunteers can also screen individuals for additional benefits such as prescription assistance and help paying Part B premiums and co-insurance, troubleshoot Medicare claims and billing problems, and help people resolve issues related to getting prescriptions filled.

The APPRISE office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. In Allegheny County, you can reach an APPRISE counselor by calling (412) 661-1438 or emailing APPRISE@fswp.org. To be connected with APPRISE in another county, please call the Pennsylvania APPRISE statewide hotline at 1-800-783-1067.

Chaka Khan Headlined 2009 Community Partners Concert to Benefit IVC

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra teamed up with legendary singer Chaka Khan and 50 area nonprofits, including Family Services of Western Pennsylvania’s Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers program, for the sixth annual Community Partners concert. The event, hosted by Honorary Chairman Lynn Swann, took place Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 8:00 pm in Heinz Hall. Proceeds from this special performance were donated back to the Partner organizations by the PSO. Patrons selected one of the 50 participating nonprofits to support with the cost of their ticket purchase. IVC raised $600 from this event. Thank you to everyone who attended the show, purchased tickets or donated seats!

Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Awarded $135,000 by United Way

On December 10, 2008, the United Way of Allegheny County announced that it would continue funding Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Southwestern PA for the work IVC does to help seniors remain healthy and safe at home. From a field of 31 applicants, IVC was chosen as one of five agencies that "succeeded in demonstrating that they were well run, financially sound and operating effective programs to meet important community needs" (Source: United Way press release). The funding period for this $135,000 annual contract runs from April 2009 through March 2011, and may be renewed based on agency performance reports and continued need for IVC services.