"It Takes a Village: Rebuilding Community Through Elder Care, Why Caregiving Is a Sacred Community Calling"

In a world that’s moving faster every day, there’s one group we must never leave behind—our elders. These are the men and women who helped shape the communities we live in. They worked hard, raised families, prayed with us, and paved the way for many of the opportunities we now enjoy. As they grow older, the question we must ask ourselves is: Who will be there for them?

The Overlooked Heroes: Caregivers

Caregiving is one of the most selfless and compassionate professions, yet it’s often underrated. It takes a special kind of person to care for someone who is no longer able to care for themselves. Many families are not trained or emotionally prepared to care for loved ones with medical conditions like dementia, diabetes, or physical limitations. That’s where trained caregivers and nurses become essential—and lifesaving.

According to Care.com, the national average for an in-home caregiver is around $16.42 an hour, with some states reaching over $24 an hour. While that might sound like good money, it’s still not enough considering the emotional, mental, and physical toll that caregiving can take. More importantly, we don’t have nearly enough caregivers to meet the growing need as our population ages.

A Community-Led Solution: Faith-Based Investment in Future Nurses and Caregivers

Here’s an idea that’s worth planting: What if faith-based organizations created their own scholarship funds to support young men and women who feel called to caregiving, nursing, or elder care? What if churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples took the lead in investing in community caregivers the same way we sometimes fundraise for building renovations or events?

This investment wouldn’t just help a student pay tuition—it would build a bridge of love and service between generations. A caregiver trained through the support of their faith community could return that investment by serving elders within that same community, showing love, patience, and understanding that stems from shared values.

Think Like a Village Again

Many cultures around the world pool their resources to ensure they have doctors, lawyers, teachers, and caregivers within the community. Why? Because they know that depending solely on government programs can leave elders feeling neglected. These communities understand the true meaning of the phrase: "It takes a village."

Somewhere along the way, we’ve drifted from that village mindset. But it’s not too late to return. If we can raise thousands for celebrity concerts or sports teams, we can surely gather the funds to educate one caregiver who will care for dozens of elders with dignity and respect.

Faith-Based Caregiver Scholarship Plan: “Serve and Be Served”

Create a Clear Purpose

Goal: Fund nursing education for 1–2 members who will return and serve elders in the community. Mission Statement Example: "To invest in compassionate caregivers from within our spiritual family, ensuring our elders are supported with love, skill, and dignity."

Establish a Scholarship Committee

• Choose 3–5 trusted members to oversee the process.

• Include elders, healthcare professionals (if available), youth leaders, and someone with financial or grant-writing experience.

Set Financial Goals

Estimate Costs (depending on local tuition/community college/nursing program):

• LPN: $10,000–$20,000

• RN (Associate): $20,000–$30,000

• BSN (Bachelor): $30,000–$50,000

Initial Goal Example: Raise $15,000 per student for a community college RN program.

Fundraising Plan (With Purpose)

Ideas to raise funds creatively:

• Faith Sundays: One Sunday/month where offerings go to the scholarship fund.

• "Adopt a Nurse" Campaign: Let families sponsor partial tuition (e.g., $100/month).

• Annual Gala or Dinner: Charge $25–$50 per ticket with testimonials from elders or current caregivers.

• Community GoFundMe or Faith-Based Crowdfunding

• T-Shirt or Faith Merch Sales with messages like “Love Our Elders” or “Care Begins at Home.”

• Seek Local Business Sponsors or Healthcare Partnerships (some clinics love to sponsor students who will later serve the community).

Candidate Selection Process Announce open applications to congregation members. Require:

• Statement of purpose: Why they want to become a nurse

• Commitment to serve community elders post-graduation (e.g., 2–3 years)

• Minimum GPA or GED

• Interview with committee

Build a Support Circle Around the Students

• Assign them a spiritual mentor.

• Host monthly check-ins during school.

• Help with meals, transportation, or tutoring when needed.

• Let the whole community know who they are—celebrate them!

Define the “Give Back” Agreement. After graduating:

• Serve elderly members through home visits, health workshops, or wellness checks.

• Lead health seminars for youth and elders at the organization.

• Help build the next round of scholarships (pay it forward).

Celebrate and Expand

• Host a Graduation Sunday or Scholarship Testimony Night.

• Let the scholarship recipients inspire others.

• Document the journey with videos, photos, and stories.

• Set a new goal: two more students next year!

A Test of Society: How Do We Treat Our Elders?

Let’s be honest. Many times, we ignore the needs of our elders because we’re still able-bodied and think we’ll never be in their shoes. But every day, we’re aging. Every day, we’re moving closer to a stage of life where we’ll need someone’s help. So, ask yourself:

What kind of world do you want to grow old in?

Do you want to be respected, supported, and surrounded by caring hands? Or do you want to be forgotten in a system that doesn’t see your worth anymore?

How we treat our elders is a reflection of our morals and the strength of our community. It's not just about caregiving—it’s about honor, respect, and legacy.

Staying Healthy, Staying Ready

While we invest in others, we must also invest in ourselves. Eat well. Exercise. Keep your mind and body active. The elders running marathons in their 70s and 80s are proof that longevity is possible—but even they need a helping hand sometimes. Taking care of ourselves reduces the burden on our future caregivers and allows us to age with grace and independence.

The Big Picture: A Cycle of Love and Service

Let’s start creating a cycle of independence and community success. If we fund young caregivers today, they’ll care for our elders tomorrow. Those elders will feel valued, not abandoned. And one day, when it’s our turn, we’ll be in good hands—hands that we helped raise and support.

If you’re part of a faith-based organization, bring this idea to your next meeting. Start small. One scholarship. One caregiver. One elder helped. That’s how change begins.

The village may seem forgotten, but it's still in us. Let’s rebuild it—one caregiver, one elder, one community at a time.

Share this blog with your community and let’s start the conversation.💬 Have ideas or want to join an initiative like this? Comment below or reach out—we're stronger together.