Dear Friend,

IFS is moving forward!
Since 1997, we have served homeless families in our community with the generosity of dozens of faith-based congregations and thousands of volunteers & donors. Recently we ended our rotation of synagogues and churches and have engaged an attorney and are interviewing architects to transition the Day Center to a permanent shelter space.

We are grateful to Father Scott Shafer, Pastor, and the Saint Joseph’s Church community for their unwavering support, allowing us to continue using their space for our program!

This will of course take some months, but we will continue to assist homeless families & single pregnant moms throughout. Our families in the program will continue to receive case management from us and mental health, financial, parenting, & stress counseling from our partner agencies, but instead of host congregations, they will be spending overnights in a supportive local hotel. We have engaged our continuing volunteers from our congregations, local service organizations and individuals to provide dinners for our families, at the Day Center. We expect to host 3- 4 families at a time.

To accomplish this transition, IFS needs funds to bring the building up to the Department of Community Affairs Regulations. Thanks to the generous spirit of our supporters, and careful stewardship of our volunteer leaders, the agency has healthy reserves to start the project, but our continued success relies upon YOU!

This year’s annual giving appeal will, as always, go to direct support of our families. Included are physical needs such as personal products, building supplies, & food staples and for counseling professionals and case management.

Thank you for your loyalty to our families over the years and kindly support our campaign to improve our operational model to provide more families to come.

Here is just one of hundreds of examples of lives changed through our program:

“ When I entered the Interfaith program, I was a lost and scared single mom of three. I had nowhere to turn, due to the recent death of my mom. I was escaping a very toxic relationship with little to my name. All I had was my children, my car, and our clothes. The job I had paid just enough to cover my babies’ daycare.

Interfaith helped me to find me again. They were the most welcoming faces I had seen in a very long time. I entered the program not knowing what to expect and gained so much more than I could ever imagine. I was able to build a bond with my children because I could focus on our well-being, without distractions like a toxic relationship or TV. I thought my kids were going to be embarrassed or hate the fact that we were living in different places for a while, but they loved it. We still pass by some of the churches and remember stories of our stay there. Interfaith has blessed my family beyond belief.

After completing the program, I thought we were on our own again. I was wrong! Having our best interests at heart, Interfaith still loves, helps, and supports us for which I am so thankful. I was invited to join the mentor program; honestly, at first, I was totally against it. I didn’t want to be bothered! But I was convinced to try it. Now, I have a mentor/friend for life. Linda, my mentor, is part of my family and we still meet for lunch or breakfast.

I achieved my goal of obtaining my LPN license. My kids are all doing well and accomplishing all their goals and dreams. Yes, there were a few obstacles and bumps in our journey, but I learned through the Interfaith program how to navigate those problems and stay on my feet while doing so.

I am now in the position to give back and am participating in the IFS Holiday Gift program, providing for other families like volunteers and donors provided for me.

As someone whose life was turned around by Interfaith Family Services, I ask you to donate for the continued success of IFS families as the program continues to grow, changing its operation to better assist families in distress.

Donate online by clicking below or to request a donation envelope be sent to you, contact [email protected].

Please help IFS aid families like mine."

Sincerely,

Sabrina and family

KINDLY DONATE NOW at

https://interfaithfamilyservices2.org/-make-a-difference-donate-now