Some updates from the Interfaith's most recent board meeting:
Nine of Interfaith's housing units were used June-August to house residents of Opportunity Council's Dorothy Place complex while that facility was undergoing a safety remodel and upgrade.
Interfaith and Opportunity Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding whereby Opportunity Council will lease six of Interfaith's properties for the next two years to provide safe and affordable housing to OC clients who are or have experienced homelessness and need additional support to access and retain stable housing. Opportunity Council assumes responsibility for all of the "client facing" services and assumes the risk of damages. Interfaith continues to provide routine maintenance for the housing units and the grounds.
One of Interfaith's houses continues to be home for a refugee family of 10 while they wait for other housing to become available, probably next spring.
Interfaith is in conversation with other housing providers to lease the remaining three housing units.
On Wednesday, October 23rd, 700 coats donated by Interfaith Members were distributed at the Bellingham Food Bank. Hats, scarves, and gloves crafted by participants in Project Warm-up brought smiles and warmth to the guests who took home these knitted and crocheted items.
More coats were found new homes on October 25 at the United Church of Ferndale distribution site.
The final distribution for our Winter Coat Drive will be November 7 at St. Peter's Mission in Deming.
Our Holiday Joy program is ramping up where Interfaith Member faith communities provide toys, gift certificates, and grocery shopping cards to families in Opportunity Council housing programs. Parents are given the opportunity to "shop" for a gift for their child or children, and then are able to wrap the gift to present during their own family celebration.
The CAST program that has been fiscally sponsored by Interfaith is becoming an Interfaith sponsored and managed program. We are adding an additional night so now Coffee and Sandwiches will be available five nights per week behind the library in Bellingham.
If your Faith Community wants more information on how to volunteer for any of the Interfaith programs, please reach out to Davi Weasley, Congregational Engagement Coordinator, davi@interfaith-coalition.org.
