BY JAYLYNN LESLIE GRAY
Enquirer Contributor
James Piepenbrink is on a mission to see that the elderly get the help they need.
Volunteers from churches and service agencies, a $25,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and direction from the Judson Village Retirement Community are all part of his answer: a program called Faith in Action in Western Hills.
Volunteers will visit and help with transportation, grocery shopping, personal care, light housekeeping and meals.
The grant will pay for a program director at Judson Village who will train, educate and support volunteers, and will ultimately serve as a professional link to all social services available to seniors.
"I've noticed a growing population of elderly in this area who would like to maintain independent living, and their preference is to live in their own homes and apartments," said Mr. Piepenbrink, executive director and CEO of Judson Village in Westwood.
"Services are available on many different levels to help them. But sometimes what's available and when and where to get help can be a bit confusing. Our volunteers will be able to help fill in the gaps and offer assistance."
Judson Village provides independent living, home care, assisted living, comprehensive health care and social services. Its board has agreed to fund the program after the grant is exhausted.
"We are mission-driven at Judson Village," said Mr. Piepenbrink, who has been with Judson 13 years. "This is our first effort at coordinating volunteers on this type of scale, and we're very excited about it."
Volunteers come from six congregations, but those in need do not need to be members of any congregation or denomination, he said. Harriett Schaeper, 86, of Westwood, needs help getting to the doctor. She gets that help from Susan Myre, 47, of Delhi Township. "Susan's been a lifesaver," Mrs. Schaeper said. "Susan and the other gals at church came to my rescue."
Mrs. Schaeper and Mrs. Myre are members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Bridgetown, but Mrs. Myre wants to stress that help is not based on going to a certain church. She sees needs and wants to fill them, she said.
"I've always been that type -- to do unto others," said Mrs. Myre, a registered nurse. "Volunteering suits me. You do it on your own time."
"Since working with Harriett, I was thinking that I had to be on guard because I might give too much and then I'd get burned out, but I always come away feeling so replenished," said Mrs. Myre. "I enjoy the company," said Mrs. Schaeper. "She's been an angel."
