The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Source

MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers, Inc.'s website and Grantwriter Irene Glassman.

Description

"MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers is a network of trained volunteers who provide support and companionship to older and disabled persons living in the Boston area. Our mission is to decrease the isolation that too often comes with age and disability, to prevent or delay institutionalization, and to enhance quality of life. Volunteers of all faiths, ages and backgrounds help fulfill this mission. Friendly visitors develop a one-on-one friendship with an elder. Medical escorts help elders get to important medical appointments (see website).” Culturally-sensitive, bilingual volunteers provide friendship and assistance to Spanish-speaking elders living in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, Massachusetts.

MATCH-UP is a source of volunteers, volunteer opportunities, and internships for seminarians and students of religion, students of human services or health majors, members of local congregations, and other community members. Opportunities for volunteers include direct service, fundraising, marketing, outreach, administrative and office work, and more. Religious congregations of all types are among the core partners and MATCH-UP welcomes contact from congregations that would like to learn more about developing a partnership.

History

MATCH-UP was founded in 1984 with a three-year seed grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation when twenty Boston-area congregations and health care organizations came together to create a new interfaith coalition dedicated to meeting the needs of frail and isolated seniors. Initially funded as one of 25 model programs nationally, MATCH-UP has been an inspiration for over 1,000 replication programs, and has mentored many of these programs along the way.

Throughout its 23 year history, MATCH-UP's mission has remained constant as its services have expanded to meet growing and changing needs (for example, the addition of pet visitation and physical therapy exercise as services provided by specially trained volunteers). MATCH-UP was a founder and is a continuing member of Faith in Action, a national network of organizations that "bring together volunteers of many faiths to work together to care for their neighbors who have long-term health needs (see website)."