[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF INTERFAITH OLDER ADULT PROGRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Interfaith Older Adult Programs as they celebrate their 30th 
anniversary. Over the past three decades, Interfaith Older Adult 
Programs has contributed greatly to enriching the lives of older adults 
and their caregivers in Wisconsin's Fourth Congressional District, 
advocating for the needs of senior citizens while also providing them 
with concrete ways to participate in and enhance their communities.
  Interfaith Older Adult Programs grew out of an effort by several 
faith congregations to reach out to isolated older adults on 
Milwaukee's east side. From that humble beginning in 1973, Interfaith 
Older Adult Programs has grown to a comprehensive countywide program. 
With the mission of linking older adults to a caring community, 
Interfaith Older Adult Programs has worked to find innovative and 
concrete ways to engage local residents in the work of caring for older 
adults, while ensuring that they have meaningful opportunities to 
continue contributing to their communities.
  Interfaith Older Adult Programs provide the crucial support needed to 
enable older adults to continue living in their homes, while building a 
safety network that assists them with specific challenges. The 
Neighborhood Outreach Program, for example, provides transportation to 
medical appointments and grocery shopping as well as companionship to 
frail and isolated elders. Other programs match seniors with 
neighborhood volunteers who provide help with snow removal and other 
outside chores or provide a daily telephone check-in.
  Interfaith has also been a primary conduit for enabling senior 
citizens to serve their communities. Key programs link seniors to 
volunteer opportunities with local nonprofit organizations throughout 
Milwaukee County, and connect them with foster children who need 
tutoring, mentoring, nurturing and counseling. Participating in these 
programs ensures the wisdom and expertise of our older adults is not 
lost, providing support for the community while also energizing older 
volunteers.
  I am delighted to recognize Interfaith Older Adult Programs for their 
efforts on behalf of the older adults in the Fourth Congressional 
District. I thank them for their compassion, their vision, and their 
commitment to serving our elders, and I wish them another 30 years of 
success.

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