The Caregivers Advancement Fund
Empowering Home Care Workers and Fostering Professional Growth
The Caregivers Advancement Fund (CAF) was established in April 2021 as a nonprofit initiative with the aim of providing support to frontline workers in the home care sector and inspiring more individuals to join this essential profession. Here is a brief overview of the fund and its objectives:
Description: The Caregivers Advancement Fund (CAF) is dedicated to promoting higher education and creating a safety net for home care aides and their families. The fund accomplishes this by distributing grants and interest-free microloans for various purposes, including:
- Continuing education: This encompasses certificate-based and career-advancement courses, empowering caregivers to enhance their knowledge and skills.
- Higher education scholarships: The CAF offers scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in healthcare, public service, social work, criminal justice, and related fields, encouraging the entry of talented individuals into these crucial sectors.
- Emergent needs support: Recognizing the challenges faced by caregivers, the fund also provides assistance for emergent needs such as housing, transportation, childcare, utilities, and legal expenses, ensuring that caregivers have a safety net in times of difficulty.
The CAF is a nonprofit charitable fund under the 501(c)(3) charter of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties.
Background: Major American cities, including New York, are projected to face a shortage of caregivers in the coming years. The demand for caregiving positions is expected to experience significant growth, with approximately 140,000 new positions and 685,000 total openings projected from 2020 to 2030. This surge is primarily driven by the rapidly expanding senior population.
Most caregivers are employed by small to mid-sized organizations that often lack the support systems necessary for employees to advance in their careers and address emergent issues effectively. Consequently, there is less incentive for individuals to pursue caregiving as a profession compared to other job opportunities, such as working for large retail corporations.
Studies have indicated that tackling this issue requires improving the quality of training, establishing career pathways, implementing supportive measures to ensure worker success, and exploring innovative methods of investing in and supporting caregivers. The Caregivers Advancement Fund seeks to contribute to these goals by providing funding for educational advancement and addressing emergent needs. The fund offers traditional grants that do not require repayment and interest-free microloans, enabling caregivers to receive support while also contributing back to the fund's corpus, thereby assisting others in the future.
Governance: The CAF is governed by an Expert Advisory Committee consisting of Carlos Garcia (Founder and President, Eng Garcia Properties), Scott Lasky (Founder and CEO, Lionshead Wealth Management), and Zubin Kapadia (Owner and CEO, Right at Home North Shore Long Island).
Donations: To learn more about the Caregivers Advancement Fund and make a donation online, please visit: https://cfosny.org/our-funds/project-funds/caregivers-advancement-fund/
If you prefer to donate by mail, kindly make your check payable to "CFOS – Caregivers Advancement Fund" and send it to the following address: CFOS, 30 Scott's Corners Drive, Suite 203, Montgomery, NY 12549.
Your contribution will make a meaningful difference in the lives of caregivers and their families, empowering them to thrive in their profession and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.