Faith in Action Unveils New Brand to Help More Seniors

Faith in Action has unveiled a new brand to further its charitable mission of assisting seniors facing the challenges of aging: It is now Eastside Friends of Seniors.

The new brand was introduced recently at a celebration at a Microsoft Company Store. At this event, the nonprofit unveiled its new name. Board member and emcee for the event, Kim Jenkins, stated, “Our new name affirms who we serve: Seniors. It reflects the warmth and equality between volunteers and staff, and our elderly clients. And it stakes out a vision of having a volunteer for every senior in need, all over the Eastside.”

Eastside Friends of Seniors currently serves 218 older adults living independently in the greater Issaquah, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie Valley communities. The clients’ median age is 84. Most live alone. They have a disability of some kind that limits mobility or impair their ability to perform basic activities. They are assisted by volunteers, who drive, shop, do chores, or provide friendly visiting. All services are free of charge.

“The senior members of our community need and desire the basics – a decent home, life with dignity, companionship, and a sense of purpose – the building blocks of a meaningful life”, said Claire Petersky, Executive Director.

“Given their age and disabilities, however, many struggle to find ways to keep their homes clean and safe, shop for groceries and other essentials, or travel to a doctor’s appointment. Too often these forgotten individuals lose their independence and are prematurely placed in institutional care settings.”

The Providence Marianwood Foundation launched Faith in Action in 1998 with a coalition of churches as an interfaith volunteer caregiving program. It received the Providence Health System’s Mission Leadership Award (1998) and the Emilie Gamelin Award (2002) for outstanding service to those most in need. In May 2004, the Association of Washington Business awarded the program its Community Service Award. In 2008, the program grew strong enough to become an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

“This is a very important, exciting time for Eastside Friends of Seniors,” said Board President, Doug Watson. “For the last fourteen years, we’ve been changing seniors’ lives for the better. Our name has changed, but our commitment to growing our volunteer-based services for seniors in our community continues to be strong.”

For more information about Eastside Friends of Seniors, their services, or to volunteer, please see: http://www.EastsideFriendsOfSeniors.org, email info@EastsideFriendsOfSeniors.org, or call the office at: 425-369-9120.

-- This information is from an Eastside Friends of Seniors news release. The group is based in Sammamish.