Vine Faith In Action

Causes: Human Service Organizations, Human Services, Interfaith Coalitions, Religion

Mission: Vine faith in action promotes quality of life and a culture of caring, sustained by volunteerism, community engagement, and support for neighbors in need. Each year more than 3,500 people in the minnesota river valley rely on vine to maintain their independence, age with dignity, and enjoy meaningful retirement opportunities.

Programs: Aging well at the vine adult community center (vacc). The community center offers a one-stop shop for aging adults to improve their physical health, socialize with peers, volunteer to help others, and access needed services. Members participate in a wide array of classes, social activities, evidence-based health and fitness related programming, and enjoy the walking track and warm water exercise. In june 2017, vine completed construction and opened an 18 x 50 ft. Warm water exercise pool on the ground floor of the vacc. This popular addition enhances vine's ability to support the health and enjoyment of aging adults. Vine leases pool time to mayo clinic health system for patient therapy. In addition, vine's community center welcomes adult community members for support groups and educational and recreational activities. Vine's licensed adult day program is housed at the vacc. Supervised by a licensed social worker and directed by a licensed practical nurse, the day program offers fun, friendship, and caring support for aging adults who are socially isolated or have a progressive illness, while giving caregivers a break.

mndot transportation vine's true transit public transit program was formally established in january 2017. Using paid drivers and small, accessible buses and volunteer drivers using their own cars, vine provides transportation to citizens of all ages residing in rural blue earth, nicollet, and le sueur counties. Program costs are covered by mndot and blue earth, nicollet, and le sueur counties, and passenger fares.

neighbors helping neighbors. Professional program staff work in concert with 500 trained adult volunteers to help neighbors in need with tasks necessary for continued independent living. Vine's professional staff meets personally with each individual who requests assistance from vine. During this visit, a care receiver application is completed as part of a conversation about how vine can be of assistance. Staff provides information about local resources, facilitate support groups, offer skill building classes, and advise adult children in caring for their aging parents. Volunteers assist with home chores, deliver meals on wheels, provide respite care, and make friendly visits. Vine operates a durable medical equipment rental program. For a small fee, community members can access necessary medical equipment, which prevents them from paying full price for items that are temporarily needed. Staff and specially trained volunteers assist culturally and racially diverse elders with literacy, advocacy, socialization, phone contact, escort, translation, form assistance, and service coordination.