Transcript MIFA’s mission & vision

MIFA’s mission & vision
Mission: MIFA engages the community to sustain
the independence of seniors, transform the lives
of families in crisis, and equip teens for success.
Vision: MIFA works to unite our diverse
community to address the challenges of poverty.
MIFA’s history
• Founded in 1968, in the wake of Dr. King’s
assassination
• Church and community leaders came
together to address major social problems
like poverty, racial division, and hunger
• Today, we serve 55,000 individuals
annually through nine programs
Volunteer support
• MIFA was volunteer-driven in its
early days, and that tradition
continues
• Today, more than 2,000 active
volunteers support our
programs
• Each hour of volunteer work is
valued at $21.36
• Last year, volunteers
contributed the equivalent of
more than $3.3 million
We transform the lives of
families in crisis
Emergency Services provides utility, rent, mortgage, and food assistance
to those in financial crisis.
• Last year, requests for utility assistance increased by 19% over the
previous year, while rent and mortgage increased by 40% and 24%
• We helped 3,500 families financially and more than 11,000 with food
Emergency Housing Partnership is a service delivery system for
families facing homelessness.
• In FY11, 910 households representing 3,318 individuals received
assistance.
• Follow-up contact with clients revealed that 89.5% were still in
stable housing situations after three months, 89.4% after six months,
and 88.8% after 12 months.
Housing opportunities provides transitional housing, case management,
and life skills training for homeless families.
We equip teens for success
COOL (College Offers Opportunities for Life) is a college
readiness program providing higher education counseling,
mentoring, life skills, ACT preparation, and assistance with
the college admissions process.
• The high school graduation
rate in MIFA’s ZIP code,
38126, is 45%
• 44 of COOL’s 45 seniors
graduated high school and
were accepted by colleges in
2011
We sustain the independence
of seniors
• Meals on Wheels delivers 3,300 hot,
nutritious lunches daily to seniors at their
homes and at congregate sites.
• Handyman provides wheelchair ramps for
low-income senior homeowners and works
to combat blight in targeted neighborhoods.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates
for the rights of thousands of residents in
nursing homes and other care facilities.
• Transit, MIFA's oldest program, transports
seniors to appointments around the city.
We sustain the independence
of seniors
Senior Companion pairs low-income, able seniors with
homebound, disabled, or critically ill peers, helping clients with
activities of daily living and providing family caregivers muchneeded respite.
• Companions receive a stipend for their work, in addition to
the value of social interaction and a sense of purpose
• Clients may be homebound, terminally ill, self-neglecting,
at-risk for institutionalization, or have Alzheimer’s or other
conditions
Senior Companion history
• This nationwide program began in 1974
• The Memphis Area Senior Companion Program
was established in 1985
• Our 115 companions serve more than 600
clients each year
• Since the program was created, 865
companions have participated in this service
Senior Companion statistics
• 75% of companions are
being treated for high
blood pressure
• 50% are being treated for
type I or type II diabetes
• Companions also suffer
from various forms of
cancer, heart issues, etc.
Senior Companion statistics
• 100% of surveyed
clients reported
that they have
benefited from the
Senior Companion
program
• 100% of surveyed
clients reported
that they are
happier as a result
of this service
Senior Companion
requirements
•
Companions must be age 55 or older and meet federal
low-income requirements
•
They must commit to serving clients 15 to 20 hours
per week
•
They receive an annual physical exam, monthly
training, lunch three days per week, transportation
reimbursement, and a tax-free stipend
•
Companions also receive the benefit of feeling needed
and appreciated, while clients receive prolonged
independence and companionship at no cost
Senior Companions can…
•
Help with laundry, meal preparation, feeding,
dishwashing, medication reminders, and other light
chores
•
Maintaining a safe environment for clients
•
Help with dressing, grooming, and using the restroom
•
Provide support in movement, exercise, activities
outside the home
•
Provide emotional support
•
Inform client of available services in the community
Senior Companions cannot…
• Perform tasks intended for medical professionals,
custodial staff, or paid staff
• Advance funds to clients or deposit cash for clients
• Perform major household repairs, window washing,
lawn mowing, heavy lifting, furniture moving, or major
house cleaning
• Prepare food for or clean up after anyone other than
the client
• Complete extensive shopping for the client
• Lead group social activities
Senior Companion program
• Senior Companion provides
an invaluable service to both
the client and the companion
• The program is funded by
Aging Commission of the
Mid-South, Corporation for
National and Community
Service, and the City of
Memphis Division of Housing
and Community
Development, and through
private donations
Find out more
about all our programs at
mifa.org