A Friendship Volunteer helps to ease isolation and loneliness and empowers elders to age in place for as long as possible.
Mercy Care Friendship Volunteers are caring people interested in enhancing the lives of elders in the Tri-Lakes region of the Adirondacks. Imagine the joy and comfort you, as a Mercy Care Friendship Volunteer, can bring to an elder neighbor’s life. Volunteers of all faiths are encouraged and welcome to join the Mercy Care family. Mercy Care acknowledges with deep appreciation these precious gifts of time and love.
Friendship Volunteers complete seven hours of training, covering topics from spiritual caregiving to community resources. Volunteers are screened through background checks, references, and a personal interview. Training is offered free of charge to anyone 18 years of age or older but pre-registration is required.
To register please complete the Friendship Volunteer Training Registration Form by clicking here.
A Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer is a compassionate person who accompanies an elder on their spiritual journey.
A Mercy Care Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer is part of our Mission Integration Program. The Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer receives special training to accompany an elder on their spiritual journey who may be experiencing loss, grief, spiritual or physical distress, changing living circumstances, joys or blessings.
The time commitment is determined by the Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer to accommodate their schedule or travel plans.
“Parish Nursing frees me to be the nurse I always envisioned – it allows me to use my years of experience and the gift of God’s grace to support others. It is…personal care, holistic care, community care, impactful care – it is Mercy Care!”
Faith Community Nurses provide health education and counseling, serve as patient advocates and connect patients to resources in the community. They care for the whole person, body, mind, and spirit with a particular focus on spiritual.
Faith Community Nurses, also known as Parish Nurses, are Registered Nurses who volunteer their time and talents in caring for the health needs of elders and others in their parish, congregation, or community. Parish nurses advocate for whole person health care–body, mind, and spirit.
This course is open to RN’s or other persons interested in health ministry in their church or community. The course is offered free of charge to nurses of all faiths in the North Country Region of New York State. Pre-registration and attendance for all six days of classes are required.
To learn more about becoming a Mercy Care Friendship Volunteer or Faith Community Nurse, please call Lexi Bevilacqua, Program Director at 518-523-5446 or contact her by email at abevilacqua@adkmercy.org
