VOLUNTEERS CREATE HEALING MI NISTRIES

As part of an experimental program in Florida, church members were recruited to serve as volunteers to help bridge hospitals and religious institutions. These volunteers named the experiment Project REACH (Reaching out through Education to Advance Community Health). According to the book "Building Healthy Communities Through Medical-Religious Partnerships (The Johns Hopkins University Press), by the project's initiators W. Daniel Hale, Ph.D. and Richard C. Bennett, M.D., the purpose of the project was to facilitate the healing power of religion by finding workable ways for the two institutions to work together.

The volunteers served as health educators, patient advocates, as well as bridge builders. The volunteers worked with great enthusiasm. Hospital personnel found the project successful and gave them added satisfaction and effectiveness to their work.