- About Us
- History
- Board and Staff
- Resources
Mission
Inter-Faith Community Services provides basic human services and enrichment programs to low-income people using community resources. Inter-Faith fosters self-sufficiency and respects the dignity of each client. Inter-Faith serves the people of Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, Sheridan and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
Programs
Inter-Faith is probably best-known for its
food and clothing banks, which are truly a reflection of
our community. Community members - schools, churches, service
clubs, businesses and families, donate all the food and
clothing.
One of Inter-Faith's
main goals is homeless prevention. Through a variety
of resources including financial assistance (rental, utility,
mortgage assistance), transitional and off-site housing IFCS is
able to help families achieve their housing goals, access
more affordable housing or simply help its families maintain
their present shelter.
Inter-Faith also has many other programs to
help the community-programs for homebound seniors: medical
transportation, lunch bunch and grocery shopping help; financial
assistance: medical prescriptions, gas vouchers, bus tokens
and birth certificates; gift of hearing and sight programs;
victim assistance; youth programs including Ready, Set, School!:
a program where low-income children are sponsored by groups
or individuals and the children receive a brand new outfit
(shoes, underwear, clothes, socks, etc.), a new backpack
and school supplies to start their school year off on the
best foot possible; and Thanksgiving and Holiday
Baskets for families and seniors that would not be able
to celebrate these holidays without the community's help.
Funding Sources
Donations from businesses, individuals, service
clubs, churches and grants from foundations and federal,
state and local governments are Inter-Faith's major sources
of funding. Fundraisers also play an integral part in the
continuation of services. In addition to actual funding,
donated services and equipment supplement the budget. Thousands
of volunteer hours, food, clothing and household items are
donated by individuals, schools, churches and community
organizations to insure that Inter-Faith can continue to
provide much needed services. The support Inter-Faith receives
from the community really makes its motto of Neighbors
Helping Neighbors a reality.
All services and programs are delivered in a manner that preserves the dignity and sense of self-worth of all clients.
History
In 1964 in response to growing community needs relating to serving the working-poor, indigent and homebound elderly in South Metro Denver, leaders from all segments of the community - led by Inter-Faith founder Maida Navis - came together in what was and is truly a community-based effort to form Inter-Faith Task Force for Community Services (now Inter-Faith Community Services.)
Starting with simple programming designed to meet the basic human needs of food, clothing and shelter, Inter-Faith has grown into the largest emergency and continual support systems in South Metro Denver for low-income families, children, seniors and the homeless. Inter-Faith is dedicated to providing services that bridge the gaps between crisis, survival and independence. In 1968 Inter-Faith was designated the "official poverty agency" in its service area and together, with the board, staff, volunteers and community support, the agency has served numerous low-income persons since its inception.
With the philosophy of a hand up, not a hand out the agency strives to support its clients in every phase of their climb to self-sufficiency and success.
Board Officers
President
Doug Applegate
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones – Centennial
Treasurer/Finance/Administrative/Planning
Mary Jo Collins
Community Volunteer
Fundraising Chair
Anne McMillan
Graphic Designer
South Suburban Parks and Rec
BOARD DIRECTORS
Frances Blizard
Community Volunteer
Sue Bramley
General Manager
Tom Farber
T. Charles Wilson Insurance Service
Frank Sargent
Retired Physician
Theresia Smith
Assistant Vice President
FirstBank – Centennial
Fred Warnaars
Geologist
Aureli Resource Corporation
Staff
Sandra Blythe-Perry
Executive Director
sandrabp@ifcs.org
Paul Fitzgerald
Program Director
paulf@ifcs.org
Maria Pearson
Development/Special Events Manager
mariap@ifcs.org
Lisa Beamer
CCH Transitional Housing Case Manager
lisab@ifcs.org
Mary Lou Diehl
HUD/SHP Transitional Housing Case Manager/VALE Assistance
marylou@ifcs.org
Ashley Keller
Case Manager
ashleyk@ifcs.org
Albina Martinez
Admissions Coordinator
albinam@ifcs.org
Barb Mesa
Food and Clothing Bank Manager
barbm@ifcs.org
Andrew Peterson
Lead Case Manager
andrewp@ifcs.org
Cheryl Goto
Accounting Clerk/Administration Assistant
cherylg@ifcs.org
Annual Reports
Fact Sheet
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