Years ago, after surviving a horrible domestic violence situation, losing everything, then falling into a downward spiral, I came to chapel hill to get on my feet again After such tragedies in life, i found myself doing things I NEVER could have imagined, went thru a Christian rehab treatment and then moved from there to an Oxford house in Chapel Hill. It was very difficult to fall such a long way in life. It nearly broke me, drove me almost to the point I wanted to die. When I started to rebuild my life and came to Chapel Hill and found a place at an Oxford house, I did not even own a blanket. No sheets, no food is provided. Thankfully IFC was there. I was given a blanket, and a box of food. I went back one more time for another box before I was thankfully able to secure a part time job in the area. IFC was a real blessing to me when I was trying to rebuild. Today I have my children, a nice home, a good income and working towards my RN. I will never forget how much that simple blanket meant to me. It gave me hope, They gave me food to survive when I had no other way to get fed. Thank You from the bottom of my heart, Because of this great charity I now give back to my community, a viable member of society that I had been broken off of.
In the 13 years that I have worked with the IFC, I have interviewed many clients, volunteers, and staff members. I have consistently heard from clients that the organization has helped them transform their lives. The volunteers and staff are among the most dedicated and caring people I know. IFC is an organization that has a profound impact on those it serves. I am also a donor to IFC because I know that the organization is a good steward of its resources.
The IFC is, by far, in my lifetime in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area, the most organized and functional organization who has helped many in our community who need assistance. I have volunteered there, worked there and donated money. As far as I am concerned, they are IT in our community, when trying to acquire basic needs. I can think of many of our homeless who may not be alive without the IFC. Great job!
I have been a regular contributor to IFC for several years now and am proud to see my contributions used for so much good. The leadership of IFC is above ethical; they are not drawing huge salaries--the funds they collect are going directly to those in need. When controversial issues have arisen in the community around any aspect of homelessness or poverty, IFC is at the table with compassion, intelligence, and creativeness.
I am the President of the Board of Directors of IFC. I have served the agency as a member of the Board for 7 years. The staff and volunteers with leadership of John Dorward provide meaningful services to those in poverty and need in our community.
Rebecca McCulloh
Interfaith Council forms a consortium of faith communities, enabling us to reach out to our brothers and sisters who need a hand up during a challenging period of time in their lives. Each year, IFC gets better and better at its mission. Our town is the better for having IFC in our midst!
The IFC is an incredibly well run and professional organization. They help many people in numerous ways, with compassion and respect, and, most importantly, on a shoestring financially. Their ability to communicate with and garner support from other community organizations is superb. They are never satisfied with their significant accomplishments, but are always striving to build upon and improve their services. As a liaison between the IFC and my faith-based organization, I am repeatedly impressed -- no, amazed is a better word -- by all aspects of their organization.
I am a member of the iiason committee of IFC. I am also a volunteer from Chapel Hill Christian Church. IFC is a great organization and I am proud to be a volunteer. I like being a liason with my church. It gives me an opportunity to report on the work of IFC to my congregation and it provides me with an opportunity to share what my church does with other congregations.
We are the Jelly Church. Each week, I take 30 jars of jelly to the pantry.
Doris Colomb
I am present board member, former client and former staff member. My relationship with IFC goes back to the 1960s when my mother became a volunteer and served on the board. As a 16 year single mother I used the serves of the Loan and Grant Fund. Later as way of giving back I started to volunteer. My daughter is now the third generation of volunteers (along with my sister and nephew who assist with and walk in CROP Hunger Walk) with IFC. We have seen how it changes lives. I have two relatives both were homeless and would still be on the streets if not for Community House and Homestart. So no one can say "bad" things about IFC around my family with out getting "a testimony" about the staff and the services that it provides and has provided for 50 years!