History of MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers

MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers, Inc. was founded as a model program in 1984 with a three-year initial grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This grant funded a network of religious congregations and social service agencies with a mission to decrease the isolation of elders and disabled adults and prevent unnecessary institutionalization and enhance their quality of life. This national network is now called Faith in Action.

The original MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers caregiver coalition was supported by congregations, religious organizations, and senior service providers across Boston and Brookline. See the list at the bottom of this page. Many continue to lend their support today.

Throughout its history, MATCH-UP's mission has remained constant as its services have expanded to meet growing needs. In 1987, MATCH-UP was a founding member of the National Federation of Interfaith Caregivers. It has since served as a replicable model for 1300 similar programs across the United States.

In 1991, MATCH-UP separated from its founding agency and became an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. After two office moves, MATCH-UP settled into its present 105 Chauncy Street office in 2003.

MATCH-UP has won numerous awards over the years. In 1999, Gov. Paul Cellucci proclaimed November 21 as MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers Recognition Day. In 2005, Mayor Thomas Menino and the Boston Commission on Elderly Affairs awarded MATCH-UP the Edward L. Cooper Award for Outstanding Neighborhood Based Senior Service Agency.

Since its inception, MATCH-UP has assisted over 17,000 Boston-area elders and disabled adults, providing almost half a million hours of donated care. This represents a value of more than $7,586,480 worth of care.

The Original MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers Caregiver Coalition

Founding Congregations/Religious Organizations
Arlington Street Church
Boston Theological Institute
Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Church of the Advent
Church of All Nations
Church of the Covenant
Community Church
Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe
Emmanuel Church
First Church in Boston
First Lutheran Church
Hillel B'nai Torah
King's Chapel
Old South Church
Paulist Center
People's Baptist Church
Ruggles Baptist Church
St. John the Evangelist
St. Mark Congregational Church
St. Paul's Cathedral
Temple Israel
Trinity Church
Union United Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Service Providers
Boston Housing Authority
Central Boston Home Care
Commission on Affairs of the Elderly, City of Boston
Council of Elders, Inc.
Greater Boston Elderly Legal Services
Hale House
Home Medical Service, University Hospital
Jewish Family & Children's Services
Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center
South End Community Health Center
Visiting Nurses Association

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