Faith In Action Caregivers

Our History

In 1985 five sponsoring congregations formed a volunteer service called West Austin Caregivers. The purpose was to respond to needs of the increasing number of elderly living alone in Austin. West Austin was targeted as the location for this pilot program, based on 1980 census tracks reflecting a high concentration of the over-60 population. Modeled after a national volunteer caregiver project, programming was developed to meet the needs of the elderly in the neighborhoods served. Seven more caregivers programs followed the model of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation interfaith volunteer programs. Currently, there are 8 Faith in Action Caregiver programs.

The eight caregiver programs formed a coalition of volunteer caregiver organizations that perform the same work in differing geographic areas. FIAC serves most of Austin and all of Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock and Georgetown. FIAC members work together to raise money, increase community awareness, and expand into unserved and underserved areas.

Trained volunteers transport clients to medical appointments, physical therapy sessions, pharmacies and other healthcare related settings. In addition, transportation for buying groceries and for personal errands enhances independence and quality of life. The type of personalized transportation provided by volunteers complements the efforts of families and helps fill the gaps when traditional transit options do not accommodate the special needs of seniors.

About Us

When a person does not drive a car, he or she has few affordable transportation options in the Austin, Texas, area. Family members may not always be available. Public transportation is inadequate. The public transit service for people with disabilities suffers from lack of funding and as a result, proves unreliable. Taxi services may cost too much for people on fixed incomes. Many seniors need personalized, affordable door-through-door transportation. FIAC offers this service at no charge to the rider.

FIAC volunteers drive seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and on other errands. With a little help from the FIAC volunteer transportation program, over 2000 seniors in the Austin metropolitan area are able to continue living independently. In 2005, FIAC volunteers provided 23,616 point-to-point rides for seniors.