Caring Visitor Training: Healing Partners of JFS/MW

Caring Visitor Training
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

a program of Healing Partners of Jewish Family Service of Metrowest

Why are visiting and caring activities so important?
People need to feel connected to their faith community especially when they are lonely, sick, or homebound. Visiting lifts the spirit of those who feel forgotten. Connecting with one's faith builds character and community for both visitor and visited.

What do Healing Partners trained congregational visitors do?
Simple gestures of caring that go a long way! A visitor might call a homebound person every week, pick up groceries for a newly discharged patient, send a get-well card, bring a person to their doctor, say a prayer or read psalms, or just listen. Activities are as varied as those who perform them.

you shall love your neighbor as yourself...
Leviticus 19:18
Matthew 19:19

How does Healing Partners help?
We're a resource for your care group's needs, whether your congregation already has a caring committee or would like to build one. We provide educational and experiential workshops to help people cope with difficult life transitions and periodic community support meetings. We offer professional consultation, educational resource material, training for volunteers, and follow-up support. We advise, advocate, counsel, and consult with individuals and groups in order to help establish and renew efforts made on behalf of frail elders, the chronically ill, their caregivers, and the bereaved in Metrowest. We tailor training programs to your community's needs. We can assist you with practical steps, including consultation about group organization, activity planning, visiting management, interest coordination, or revitalizing an existing group. Whether you come to us for help with health ministry or bikkur cholim, Healing Partners is here for you.

Who has been trained?
Volunteers have been trained in the following congregations:

St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Natick)
Temple B'nai Torah (Sudbury)
Congregation B'nai Shalom (Westborough)
Plymouth Church (Framingham)
Temple Shir Tikva (Wayland)
St. Andrew's Church (Wellesley)
Greater Framingham Community Church (Framingham)
First Parish of Sudbury
Temple Israel of Natick
Franklin Federated Church
Congregation Kerem Shalom (Concord)
Temple Beth Am (Framingham)

Who pays for Healing Partners?
Current funding includes the Sudbury Foundation, Friends of Hospice, the Tenet Foundation, the Finn Family Foundation and private donations. Healing Partners was founded in May 2000 with the generous support of the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation and the Finn Family Foundation.

What volunteer opportunities does Healing Partners have?

Lay Leaders of Caring Communities - Lay representatives of Metrowest faith communities meet to discuss strategies for caring for their congregants in times of need.

Caring Volunteers - Feel more comfortable when visiting congregants who might be ill, homebound, or grieving. Inquire about a Healing Partners Caring Volunteer training at your site!

Friendly Visitor - This program pairs volunteers with isolated elders, people with chronic illness, or a person whose family does not live in this area. Friendly Visitors learn a lot about their new friends--and about themselves! Volunteers are trained and supervised by JFS staff, matched with clients based on similar needs and interests, and will spend an hour or two per week with the client. Those unable to make a regular time commitment may agree to be available on an "as needed" basis.

Malka Young, LICSW, director
(508) 875-3100 myoung@jfsmw.org

Caring Visitor Training Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Caring Visitor Training
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)