Contact: Donna R. Bafundo

Mission Statement: The mission of the St. Francis by the Sea Friendly Visiting Ministry is to reach out with a friendly, weekly visit to parishioners who reside in their homes or in independent, assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.  The visits bring hope, faith and love to those who may be lonely and without family.  Research tells us that sixty percent of residents in long-term care have no visitors.  Friendly Visitor volunteers provide companionship, socialization and mental stimulation to those they visit.  It is a ministry of presence that supports the stewardship mission of our parish by reaching out in faith and friendship to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Friendly Visitor Volunteers: Friendly Visitors are committed volunteers who are sustained by faith and prayerful service to parishioners.  Volunteers are trained in an orientation led by experienced professionals in health care, elder care, creating a safe environment for vulnerable adults, dementia, hospice, and interpersonal communication.  Support systems are offered to assist volunteers with advice, support and encouragement.  Volunteers, once trained, interviewed and cleared with required diocesan requirements, are matched with a resident in a local area long term care facility.  Please check the parish bulletin for training session announcements.

Volunteer Qualifications: Volunteers must by 21 years or older, be dependable, able to listen and communicate with empathy, sensitive to the needs and concerns of the sick and elderly, able to maintain confidentiality, genuinely interested and enthusiastic about working with older adults, and are willing to share/witness faith, honest.  The ideal volunteer is mature, respectful and responsible, sociable, motivated, patient, trustworthy, able to set limits, and comfortable with establishing a relationship with an older person.

Volunteer Requirements: Volunteers visit their assigned resident for a minimum of one hour per week and commit to one year of service.  Visitation time and duration are at the volunteer’s discretion.

Safe Environment Requirements:  All volunteers in the Friendly Visitor Ministry must complete the Safe Haven - It's Up To You online training.  Information about the Safe Haven - It's Up To You online training can be found on the Safe Environment web page along with the Diocesan screening forms.  This ministry also requires the volunteer to fill out Background Screening Forms along with the Driver's Screening Forms - you must also attach a copy of your driver's license and a copy of your Car Insurance Declarations Page.

Upcoming Activities:

Friendly Visiting Referrals

If you know of a resident who would benefit from a friendly visit, you are encouraged to make a referral to Merideth Johnson in the office or you may contact us through the form below.