I'm a single working mother of 2 and one of my children got really sick. I was unable to work for a period of time, and I ended up getting behind on my rent and was almost to the point of being evicted. I was hopeless and IFSN stepped up to the plate and helped me. They treated me with dignity and respect and had my rent paid within days. I could not believe how painless this experience was dealing with them. It was difficult for me to ask for the help and they made me feel like it was ok to ask for help and just made me feel better about the whole thing. I appreciate them so much. Shay you are amazing. Thank you Interfaith Shelter Network. You saved me and my children from becoming homeless. You are the best.
I joined Interfaith Shelter Network (IFSN) as a bookkeeper in July of 2020. I was new to working with homeless and this was right at the bad time of the pandemic - everyone working from home and having very little contact. I was the only employee going into the office while all others worked from home and in the field helping our clients. What a crazy time! I wondered if I had made the right choice in taking this job. Then one day while I was at the office, by myself, the Office Manager Shay showed up to get something. While she was there a homeless man came to the front door (the office was closed to all) and knocked. Shay answered the door and from a safe distance spoke to the man and told him how to find shelter for the night. She brought him new socks and a bag of toiletries. As I watched her interact with this man she demonstrated nothing but respect, kindness and help. Seeing this very human treatment of a person who so often is probably not even acknowledged reassured me that "yes" I had made the right choice to take the job at IFSN. I had landed at the job that would serve my heart and be so much more than simply a paycheck. In all my years of working I have never worked with a more caring, dedicated group of people from the bottom to the top of the organization. They are all angels and it was an honor to work with these people. Nobody is there for the money (because everyone was underpaid) but they all are truly there to help a population that is so in need of all of our help. The clients always were put first and were treated with grace and care. The work IFSN does is stressful and taxing but everyone working their puts their heart into their job every single day. IFSN helps some of the hardest homeless folks to help. As the only organization in Sonoma County that provides housing to mentally ill offenders they are essential. IFSN runs multiple houses that serve different types of homeless folks. For every person provided shelter, food, services and a bed IFSN makes a difference in our world that benefits all of us. We have to take care of each other because as the old saying goes, "There but for the grace of God (or whatever higher power) go I." My life was forever enriched by the two years I worked for IFSN and I will forever be a supporter.
Before I came to IFSN I found myself to be a single father with two very young children. The three of us were living in a tent in a friends backyard. I was hooked on meth and I saw very little hope for building any kind of future for my little ones. IFSN took us in, made me hold myself accountable for my substance abuse problem, gave me therapy, helped me build my credit, find steady employment and after four months I was able to move my family out of the group home that they provided and into a very beautifal two-bedroom unit that is located in a nicer part of Santa Rosa. I was lost in the wilderness and step by step they helped me blaze a path that lead us back to civilization. IFSN provided so much for us. Housing, food, clothing, hygiene, basic necessities and they even gave me toys so I had some presents to give to my son on his 7th birthday.
Without the good works of the IFSN team I would not have made it in this world. I would have lost my children and most likely have fell victim to the streets in a life of addiction. Today I am steadily employed at a full time job that I stand on my own two feet and I hold my head up high so I can look forward to the future. Perhaps the greatest gift I got frBefore I came to IFSN I found myself to be a single father with two very young children. The three of us were living in a tent in a friends backyard. I was hooked on meth and I saw very little hope for building any kind of future for my little ones. IFSN took us in, made me hold myself accountable for my substance abuse problem, gave me therapy, helped me build my credit, find steady employment and after four months I was able to move my family out of the group home that they provided and into a very beautifal two-bedroom unit that is located in a nicer part of Santa Rosa. I was lost in the wilderness and step by step they helped me blaze a path that lead us back to civilization. IFSN provided so much for us. Housing, food, clothing, hygiene, basic necessities and they even gave me toys so my son had presents on his 7th birthday.
Without the good works of the IFSN team I would not have made it in this world. I would have lost my children and most likely have fell victim to the streets in a life of addiction. Now I am employed full time at a job that I have had since February of 2019 and I stand on my own two feet hold my head up high so I can look forward to the future. Perhaps the greatest gift I got from working with the good people at IFSN is a life filled with hope.
In the two plus years I have volunteered at IFSN, I have continued to be impressed by the dedicated staff, management and most of all the success of this program to reduce homelessness in Santa Rosa. This organization exudes the enthusiasm and commitment to those who struggle to find homes where they can support themselves and their families and move toward financial independence.
My experience in interfaith was very special for me because they helped me stay clean/sober and keeping my mind in doing the positive things in life and maintaining stable for myself and my family , and I thank God for interfaith For helping me through all the processes and for keeping me where I'm at know.
IFSN provides important services for our community in the most compassionate way. The agency creates a supportive environment for staff and the people being served - overall an incredible organization!
Faith...hope..joy...these are things you would probably think when you think of a organization thats help people..but these people are false beacons of hope..liars..thieves...and will use you for money if you have a job. I couldnt Save money to leave the house and when i had moving plans...the case manager i had completely ignored them despite me telling her i would be gone at end of month and one day wanted me to pay $120 dollars to pay to stay until I left. Then i went to pay and they wouldnt take it. And i have called her multiple times tontalk to here..90% of the time she was either busy or closed for the weekend. I am not religious but i hope the "God" of every religion smites these false prophets of god.
Dear Interfaith:
As I sat here today thinking of the perfect words to describe the impact you have made in my life, I realized that I could never show everyone how much it means to me. I realize that you all look at each other as a team and rely on each other to be as effective as your are. I could never thank you all enough, but thank you!
I am proud to have served America for you all, and would have no problem—and without hesitation—would fight for you again. You have reminded me, and convinced me that people still care…because I had forgotten that. Beyond that, you were even a part of making my twenty-first birthday feel special. Four years in the military took my joy and 99% of the people I know and love forgot my birthday.
I seriously cannot express how cared for you all make me feel. I would be so lost without IFSN. I’m sure I am speaking for everyone when I say thank you for everything, every ounce of care you provide to Veterans and other homeless souls.
Thank you for finding me housing and providing counseling and motivating me to take control of my life again.
Sincerely,
AF