Above: Left to right: Jim Anderson, Marty Krause, Florence Howk, and Marlyn Hagen were recognized by CREST on Sunday at CREST’s offices in Fairmont for volunteering to the organization for over 20 years.
FAIRMONT-CREST celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday with an open house at the Fairmont offices. At the open house, CREST volunteers and care recipients were able to tour the office and enjoy refreshments. The organization also recognized four of his longtime volunteers who have worked with CREST for over 20 years.
Rob Stauter is the Executive Director of CREST and has been with the organization since 1999. He said the event was an opportunity to commemorate the longevity of his CREST and its volunteer work and organization.
“To celebrate we’re still here. 501(c)(3) nonprofits are struggling.” Stouter said.
Since its founding as an organization to help older people continue to live in their own homes, CREST has expanded its services and reach. All programs worked with approximately 1,000 care recipients.
CREST was founded in 1997 by the Fairmont Clergy Society. This is because a survey of the church congregation showed a need for transportation, minor home repairs, and other services among the older congregation. In response to these findings, the group requested a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. After receiving $35,000 in funding, CREST was established and began working with the Council of Ministers, Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center, and local churches to organize its operations.
Stouter said the basic model of organization is much the same as when CREST first started.
“It didn’t really change. It’s getting bigger.” Stouter said.
During its first few years of operation, CREST served individuals only within Fairmont, but in 2003 it expanded its service area to Trimont, Sherburne, and other areas of West Martin County. CREST has since been operational throughout Martin County. During its expansion, CREST created service groups within each community it operated so care recipients and volunteers did not have to travel longer distances than necessary.
CREST used to offer only home care services, but in 2014 it began holding regular classes for caregivers and care recipients. We also started offering support groups.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted CREST operations. In early 2020, CREST had to suspend all in-person activities except travel to medical facilities. The organization then started a phone chain as a temporary alternative to other services, with volunteers calling vulnerable adults once or twice a week to check on their health and see if they could provide other assistance. confirmed.
CREST is still conducting regular phone check-ins for some individuals, but operations that were suspended at the start of the pandemic have largely resumed in June 2021.
Today, CREST works with local churches and about 55 volunteers to provide home visits and other services to more than 100 people.
“We are very grateful to our volunteers. They are a great group of people to work with and are always happy to help and lend a hand. It’s been fun, but we still have work to do.” Stouter said.
According to Stouter, CREST volunteers have always been able to meet the needs of care recipients, but more help is always available. CREST can usually handle most requests for assistance received, but sometimes assistance is not fulfilled due to lack of staff. We also need more volunteers, especially in the transport sector. One of his CREST volunteers currently handles most of the out-of-town transportation, and he will be leaving the area later this year.
“We always need more volunteers. People are starting to move south for the winter and it is getting to the point where the numbers are going down, so I want to volunteer and help people.” If anyone is there, please call us.” Stouter said.
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