The Philadelphia Community Network Project aimed at revitalizing the community's historical role in caring for the sick. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia developed a parish-based model that expands efforts to provide a community of support for parishioners living with life-threatening illness. The project focuses on educating and empowering parishioners and specifically those who volunteer to assist church members with life limiting illnesses. The goal is to help people stay a bit longer in their own homes, recognizing that healing can take place even in the face of life-threatening illness, and that daily quality of life matters. The Archdiocese partnered with health care, social service agencies, colleges, parishes, parish nursing, and SCD:CCC in developing the model.

Video and report (PDF - 140 pages) gives step-by-step description of the program development, volunteer outreach, parish education seminars, suggested resources and tips for success. The video (8 min) features clients, parish nurses, volunteers and Eucharistic ministers discussing their experiences with the project. This material is most useful as a flexible, adaptable tool to assist in developing similar partnerships and initiatives within archdioceses, parishes, healthcare organizations, hospices, communities, etc.

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The full report plus video are available for $10 per set, plus $3.20 shipping. Contact Carol River.