Posted on Feb 22, 2017
New Berlin Rotary, Rotary Club of New Berlin
Important resource for seniors and adults with disabilities
 
Waukesha County seniors and adults with disabilities are just a phone call away from a valuable resource. Heather Stoskopf, development manager at Interfaith Senior Programs, reviewed aspects of her organization during our meeting on Feb. 22.
 
Though founded in 2007, Interfaith's roots date to 1997. That's when Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Waukesha County started. Its goal was to match interested volunteers with projects in the area. 
 
In 1991, Interfaith Caregiving Network was formed to to meet the needs of adults and seniors with disabilities. The two organizations merged in 2007, and became Interfaith Senior Programs. (The executive director of Interfaith Senior Programs is Kathy Gale, president of the Waukesha Noon Rotary Club.)
 
Interfaith serves adults 18 and over with disabilities, along with seniors 60 and over.  According to Stoskopf, a typical client is a widow in her upper 70s to early 80s. She lives alone on limited income and does not drive.
 
Some clients are in dire financial situations. "We've had clients call and say they're splitting pills in half to save money," Stoskopf says.
 
Interfaith's goals are varied, Stoskopf explains, and include:
 
Engaging seniors: Partnering retired seniors with area high schools. Volunteers are involved with tutoring, a pen pal program, teaching US history, and an inter-generational art program, among others.
 
More than 360 seniors contributed 19,701 hours in 2015, Stoskopf says.
 
Serving seniors: Interfaith offers rides to the grocery store or food pantry, pharmacy and doctor's office. Their volunteers perform yard work and simple home repairs for home-bound seniors. The program served 1,101 seniors with disabilities in 2015. In addition, volunteers provided 3,490 rides to medical appointments and another 1,838 rides for other needs.
 
Holiday Giving Program: Select needy seniors receive packages containing essential items such as clothing and personal care products. For some people, that's the only holiday gift they receive. "It's really neat we can participate," Stoskopf says.
 
Interfaith currently has 2,000 volunteers on call. Ages range from children to seniors. Prospective clients (or their family members) are welcome to call Interfaith Senior Programs at 262-549-3348. More information is available on their website.