Families Together 2020 was a virtual event this year.
We were admittedly worried about how this would affect the scope of this event, its impact, and fundraising capacity.
Well, the numbers are finally in, and they are truly wonderful:
Total amount raised: $38,600 (61% increase from 2019)
Total number of donors: 138 (24% increase from 2019)
No. of devices logged in on 10/21 (for the event): 89
We could not have achieved these amazing milestones without YOUR support and generosity.
From everyone at Interfaith, a heartfelt thank you!
We are now halfway toward our estimated program costs for the upcoming year.
If you have not already made a gift, there’s still time to support our valuable programs, and also claim temporary tax benefits through the CARES Act (Click here to learn more).
Help us meet our end-of-year goal of: $40,000
To support the following in 2021:
Program expansion
Homelessness prevention
Covid-19 impact on shelter programs & increased expenses for family clients
This year has been challenging for so many.
Your gift today will help families overcome homelessness, stay together, and keep healthy & housed.
It’s been a long time coming – but the Interfaith Family Shelter finally has a beautiful brand-new play structure for the children!
The previous play structure was removed in May 2019, after it became rickety and unsafe for the children. Since then, the playground has sat empty while we worked hard to find funding for new equipment.
However, in May of this year, an anonymous donor reached out to Interfaith’s Jim Dean with an astonishingly generous offer: “I want to pay for the shelter’s new playground.”
Executive Director, Jim Dean, unpacks the slide.
Young volunteers donate their time and muscle!
Jim Dean and the delivery representative pause to celebrate.
We soon received a check for $20,000, and three months later, volunteers from the City of Everett devoted a summer Saturday in August to begin installing the gorgeous new structure.
Volunteers installing the new commercial-grade Monkey Maze play structure.
Interfaith’s Board President, Frank Busichio, is ecstatic: “The children have long needed a safe, healthy environment that allows them to have fun, play and grow,” he beamed. “We are so grateful to the anonymous donor for their generous support.”
Our younger residents – who have been cooped up in the shelter for much too long during this prolonged pandemic – are thrilled. Outdoor play is essential for children’s physical health and socioemotional wellbeing. And now they finally have a sturdy and entertaining outlet for all their pent-up energy!
Under the vigilant eyes of shelter staff, who make sure to sanitize the equipment frequently and ensure health protocols are followed during playtime, they are now busy ’monkeying’ around on the brand-new Monkey Maze play structure.
Featuring one of our clients on their amazing journey to overcome homelessness, the documentary crew followed Stevie’s family from homelessness, through our Cars to Housing program, then to the Family Shelter, and finally into a home of their own.
Stevie and Chance battled homelessness during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now join Director, Rose Arce, and Field Producer, Riley Morton, for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes virtual Q&A on the making of this episode, public health, the ongoing pandemic, and homelessness in America.
Director Rose Arce
A Pulitzer prize winner and three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, Rose is based in New York City. She has produced 13 documentaries, including Her Name Was Steven and The War Comes Home. Her work with Soledad O’Brien spans 16 years, and includes co-authoring two books and producing nine documentaries.
Field Producer Riley Morton
Specializing in non-fiction films and remote-location production, Riley’s portfolio spans adventure sports and travel documentaries. He is based in Seattle, and his clients include the Discovery Channel, PBS, Netflix, National Geographic Channel, ITV, and the Food Network.
Have you seen Outbreak: The First Response yet? Click this image to watch it.
Mark your calendar: Wednesday, October 21, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
(L to R) Heather, Joyce & Heidi at Barb’s Auto License Agency on July, 09, 2020.
Heather has been through a lot. The single mom of two young children was woken up by her ex-husband one morning to find out that they were suddenly homeless. “He had a substance addiction problem that he hid from us, and he had secretly drained our savings. And suddenly, we had no home.”
She has been struggling to make ends meet ever since. After a brief stint at the Interfaith Family Shelter, Heather found housing. She and her kids have now been housed for over a year.
But it hasn’t been easy, and recurring car issues were making it difficult for Heather to get to work, and for the family to get around.
Enter Heidi (a longtime Interfaith supporter) and her mom, Joyce, who were looking to donate Joyce’s 2009 Chevy to a family who could use it.
Interfaith’s Rapid Rehousing Program Manager, Sabrie Taylor, immediately thought of Heather. “I know a new car will make a huge difference to her family, right now,” she said.
And she was right! Five days later, Heidi and Joyce donated their car to Heather at Barb’s Auto License Agency in Snohomish.
Despite the face masks and social distancing, Heather was all smiles and so thankful for this very kind gesture. “You have no idea how much easier this will make my life!” she shared.
Ever since her old car broke down, the family has had to rely on public transportation. Especially with safety concerns and restricted bus service because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new car “will make all the difference!” smiled Heather. “Now I won’t have to get the kids ready four hours before we need to be somewhere. And I don’t need to depend on my friend for rides to and from work.”
Joyce and Heidi were very happy that the 2009 Chevy has found a new home. “It’s a good car,” said Joyce, “and I am happy to help Heather’s family with this gift.”
Heidi agreed, “My mom likes this option, because she prefers the more personal benefit to someone.” She added, “We were hoping to find someone directly who needed the car, because donating and selling a car reduces its value relative to someone who needs to buy it.”
Thank you so much, Heidi and Joyce. And congratulations on your new ride, Heather!
Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!
Would you like to donate your old vehicle to one of our client families? Contact us to make it happen.
This spring, the Interfaith Family Shelter has been collaborating with a team from Soledad O’Brien productions on a public health documentary.
The film explores how local communities are responding to public health issues – including homelessness – during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The crew followed one of our client families from homelessness, to our Cars to Housing safe-parking program, then on to the Family Shelter, and finally into their new home.
Share their incredible journey and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at how our amazing staff help families overcome homelessness.
GiveBIG is a movement to support non-profits that provide vital and essential local services.
A big thank you to everyone who helped us meet – and exceed – our donation target!
This year, all donations went toward our Rapid Rehousing program that helps families at the shelter achieve permanent housing… and stay housed.
Our case managers diligently work one-on-one with clients at the shelter to figure out personalized solutions to their situation.
Whether this includes finding and applying for housing, managing and resolving prior debts, or improving job and skills options, the goal is simple: get clients back on their feet and into a home of their own.
And after they move out of the shelter, Rapid Rehousing subsidizes rent through a family’s crucial first year in their new home.
The result: Independence and self-sustaining home stability.
Rapid Rehousing is clearly the solution to regional homelessness.
Miracle House officially opened for business on 09 February, 2020.
Following a lovely ceremony and blessing by our new faith partner, Marysville United Methodist Church, supporters and well-wishers had the opportunity to see our brand-new extension at a brief ‘open house.’
Interfaith Family Shelter Board President, Frank Busichio, and MUMC Lead Pastor Jenny Smith, cut the ribbon to officially open Miracle House. MUMC liaisons (from left) Steve and Jackie Johnson, and Interfaith’s Executive Director, Jim Dean (right) look on.
MUMC churchgoers signed a beautiful framed “Welcome Home” picture at all three church services that same day, which now graces the mantelpiece at Miracle House. A thoughtful and loving gesture of support for families in need.
The MUMC Tween youth group took it on themselves to decorate both bedrooms, with bright and cheery sheets, and made the beds up for the first families to move in… complete with adorable stuffed animals on each bed to welcome children residents.
We are so excited for this new chapter in Interfaith’s growth, and for the opportunity to partner with MUMC as we unite to help families overcome homelessness.
In case you could not attend, here’s a quick virtual tour of Miracle House.
All through the month of February 2020, the Interfaith Family Shelter is showcased in the street-facing window of the Community Foundation of Snohomish County in downtown Everett.
Our window display interweaves Valentine’s Day themes – beautiful paintings created by children currently residing at the shelter, and our staff – with information about who we are and how we serve the Snohomish County community.
Administrative Manager, Sarah Olsen, assembles hand-crafted paintings and decorations.
You can stop by the Community Foundation’s office on Rockefeller Ave. in downtown Everett anytime during February 2020 to admire our display
We offer families non-discriminatory low-barrier access to shelter and resources, regardless of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, or faith affiliation.
