Collinsville Faith in Action Expands to Troy

By Josh Jones
Times Tribune Editor 

[email protected] 

TROY — At the end of last month Collinsville Faith in Action (CFiA) announced that they would be expanding their services to Troy and held a public information meeting at Friedens United Church of Christ in the city. 

The mission of CFiA is to provide services and information to community members ages 60 and up to promote dignity and independence. CFiA Executive Director Lisa Brennan began the presentation. She spoke on how CFiA was founded on Feb. 14, 1998, that FiAs across the US are now under the National Volunteer Caregivers Network and there were three organizing churches including Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic in Collinsville, Our Lord’s Lutheran in Maryville and St. John UCC in Collinsville. Now there are over 20 partner churches and numerous community partners including fire departments, civic organizations and youth groups. Locally they have over 100 volunteers. 

“We have never charged anyone for any of our services,” Brennan said. “Yes, we always take donations. Yes, we are always writing grants and yes we do fundraisers as well, but we do not charge our clients. We are fortunate that we can still do it. We are an official nonprofit recognized by the IRS as a 501c3. We are not a religious organization, but the whole model of Faith in Action is a small staff partnering with faith traditions in your community. All faith traditions are welcomed to partner with us.” 

Brennan said that they are currently expanding into Troy and Granite City and said the Troy expansion is working really well. 

“We have been talking to Troy for a long time and six years ago we had a group of Wash U students do a study to see about Faith in Action expanding into Troy,” Brennan said. “I was surprised looking through some of our historical documents, we were actually talking to Troy churches 20 years ago. So it is long overdue, but we are finally here.”

Brennan next spoke on the programs they offer. She said they have social programs to help those who face social isolation and loneliness including monthly luncheons, a program called Phone Friends and a Circle of Friends group. Brennan said that they have a huge program of volunteer caregivers, who will step in to take a person in need to a doctor’s appointment, for treatment in St. Louis etc. 

“It is not a bus service. We don’t own a vehicle, we don’t have professional drivers, it is all volunteers,” Brennan said. “That is our flagship program, but our volunteer givers also do seasonal yard cleanups, they do friendly visits. They do respite care, so if a family member is taking care of somebody in the home, sometimes that caregiver needs a break.” 

They also have volunteers that do minor home repairs, such as installing grip bars and repairing a leaking sink. 

“We don’t do major work, we are getting some grant funding to hire professionals to do the bigger jobs,” Brennan said. 

Brennan said that they are always in need of volunteers and will work with a person’s schedule. 

“We are also looking for volunteers, that is how it works. By design we have always relied on churches to provide volunteers, but now we work a lot with Rotary, National Honor Society, the local universities,” Brennan said. “We have opportunities for volunteerism to meet any schedule.” 

Brennan next introduced Answers on Aging Specialist Pat Bivens, who is trained to offer Medicare Counseling, apply for discounted license plate stickers and more. He said that he focuses on three areas: Medicare counseling, assisting with the benefit access application and information and assistance referral. He said that Medicare is considered a confusing subject for many and the government actually trains people to do this type of counseling. Bivens said that he can also help people get enrolled. 

“Again you are in charge, you decide what you want to do, I am just here to provide the information,” Bivens said. 

Bivens said that it is important for those that qualify to know their enrollment dates well as year to year changes. 

“Medicare changes every year and the changes are sometimes minimal and this year between 2024 and 2025 there are some pretty significant changes that can really affect the amount you pay each month for your medications, for your doctors visits,” Bivens said. “Anything that you are not sure how to handle, give me a call. I can’t always help you, but I generally can give you a place to go to get some assistance.” 

Bivens plans to provide those previously mentioned services in Troy. He will be at Friedens United Church of Christ in Troy from 2 to 4 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month. Appointments need to be made ahead of time. The next time Bivens will be here is Feb. 27. He has other locations and times as well. People may call (618) 344-7788 to make an appointment. 

CFiA also focuses on making community connections and if they can’t help you they will try to put you in touch with a local agency that provides that service. 

Ministries Unlimited Director Kathy Scheller, who already has been working with CFiA, gave her thoughts on the program expanding to Troy. 

“I think Faith in Action coming into Troy is going to be great for our community,” Scheller said. “It is going to help our elderly stay in place, have a connection with our community, I just can’t say enough positive things. They could really use the volunteers, because it is a good cause and it is neighbors helping neighbors.” 

As Friedens United Church of Christ in Troy will be the Troy host site for counseling, Pastor Tim Harrison gave his thoughts on welcoming the program. 

“I think Friedens is thrilled to be a part of it, there is so much need here in Troy,” Harrison said. “This felt very comfortable and Lisa is a great director, enjoy working with her and the program sounds great. If we can help in a small way by providing space, that is a great thing.” 

For more information people may call (618) 344-8080, visit or visit the Facebook page.