Creating Invaluable Connections and Enriching Lives
Thirty years ago, our founder, Lisa Carmalt, identified a significant unmet need within the Trenton community. She observed that older adults wished to age in their homes, yet faced numerous barriers that rendered this goal difficult, if not impossible.
Through her experiences, Lisa recognized the absence of familial or social networks to provide essential assistance to seniors and adults with disabilities. Collaborating with local faith-based leaders, she devised a sustainable model aimed at addressing this gap — thus, Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County was born.
By recruiting, training, and matching volunteers with older adults who have limited resources, the agency facilitates assistance such as friendly visits, grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, and other errands. Furthermore, these visits help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness, fostering community engagement for both parties.
These “matches” create invaluable connections, enriching the lives of everyone involved.
In 2012, our reach expanded to include a health and wellness initiative, Project Healthy Bones. Recognizing that falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, this program focuses on improving strength, balance, and posture to mitigate risks. Volunteer leaders share tools and practices to maintain health, vitality, and independence, alleviating fears of a life-altering injury. The meaningful relationships formed through this initiative have sustained participants for years.
Today, Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County continues to broaden its “matching” efforts, and the enduring connections we foster remain true to our original mission: to uphold individual dignity and support independent aging at home through free services delivered by trained, compassionate volunteers.
However, like our neighbors in need, our financial resources are increasingly stretched. With a growing population and new requests for assistance arriving almost daily, it is imperative that we discover innovative ways to increase financial support.
Thanks to the generosity of a group of anonymous donors, every donation received before 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2024 will be matched dollar for dollar, effectively doubling the impact of your gift (to a total of $30,000)! Your support is vital to our success and every contribution counts.
Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County is a 501(c)3 organization. Visit www.icgmc.org to learn more. To donate today, visit www.givebutter.com/match2024 or mail checks to 3635 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 16, Hamilton NJ 08619. Together, we can make a difference by increasing connection throughout the Greater Mercer County area.
