North Coast Church cancels Sunday worship to serve the community
One of Interfaith’s member congregations, North Coast Church, canceled all church services for an entire weekend April 27-28 in an epic effort to unleash compassion on North County through 250 community improvement projects throughout the area. 7,000 volunteers tackled 250 service projects for what has come to be known as ‘Weekend of Service’.
“Church is about so much more than what happens inside our church walls,” said Charlie Bradshaw, North Coast Church executive pastor. “It’s about following Jesus’ example to live out our faith in tangible ways. We want to be the modern-day hands and feet of Jesus in our community.”
About 7,000 volunteers from North Coast Church rolled up their sleeves to collectively complete approximately $1.5 million in billable labor at parks, public schools, homeless shelters and community centers. One of those properties, was Interfaith’s Family Housing programs in Escondido. Volunteers helped renovate old garden spaces and provide some much needed sprucing up for the yards.
Another area North Coast identified was Oceanside’s Libby Lake neighborhood, where four teenagers were recently shot in a tragic incident that reflects escalating violence in the area.
“The young girl who died in the latest shooting was one of our teens,” said Jimmy Sigueroa, coordinator for Project REACH for teens at the Libby Lake Resource Center. “It really affected us, and the teens want to respond in a positive way. This service day comes at just the right time.”
The teens in his program will work alongside North Coast volunteers Saturday morning to paint the Center’s teen room. They will also build desks for the community computer room where the kids work on homework, job resumes and college applications.
“I’m so happy my kids will be working with North Coast,” Sigueroa said.”This shows people care about these kids and want to invest in their future. The kids are really excited about taking ownership of this.”
Similar projects are planned for nearly every corner of North County San Diego County at multiple nonprofits and community service areas. In addition to construction, landscaping and painting, light-duty projects included encouragement for local seniors and a spa day for 100 low-income women.
This is the fourth Weekend of Service for North Coast, which is a biannual event. North Coast is a multi-site church with about 9,000 attending weekend services at campuses in Vista, Carlsbad and Fallbrook. Interfaith’s is incredibly grateful for the work North Coast’s leadership and congregation have put into this amazing service project. The impact on the community has been remarkable.
Comment on this Article
Interfaith Choir & Orchestra rock the house at California Center for the Arts!
There aren’t many genuine “variety shows” still left these days, but if you were at the California Center for the Arts on March 9th, you were treated to an unforgettable night of musical variety and celebration by some truly amazing performers.
The San Diego Interfaith Choir and Orchestra – headed by Executive Director Justin Gray – has been putting on these shows a few times a year for a couple of years now – and every show is different. Last weekend’s performance didn’t disappoint, with a dizzying array of singers and musicians all donating their time to support the work of Interfaith Community Services.
Nearly 1000 people packed the house to see Gray’s all-volunteer professional ensemble perform classic and classical musical numbers, including some of their own arrangements, alongside visiting troupes like the North County Children’s Choir, the Jewish Men’s Choir, JumpStart3, the Timbre Handbell Ensemble, along with featured solists Mary Jaeb, John Polhamus, Ric Henry, Alexis Alfaro, and Ken Bell.
And a piano playing cat!
It truly was an unforgettable night for a truly great cause. Interfaith wishes to thank all the performers listed above as well as the dozens of non-musician volunteers who worked to make the night so fun and successful. We look forward to the next concert!
Check out the videos below of the North County Children’s Choir performing on March 9th and and special Harlem Shake video we made just for fun!
Comment on this Article
Music for a mission
Achieving interfaith harmony is a dream for many and a reality for the San Diego Interfaith Choir and Orchestra. That makes it a perfect partner for Interfaith Community Services.
The recently renamed ensemble is teaming up with ICS to help the needy. The orchestra plans to donate proceeds from its upcoming March 9 concert and future performances to assist with Interfaith’s efforts to aid the homeless.
The idea to help others grew out of the orchestra’s participation last spring in a fundraising concert to help an Escondido boy in need of an islet-cell transplant.
“We had the opportunity to help someone,” said Cathy Gray, a violinist and the orchestra’s personnel manager. “Then (after the concert), we said, ‘Hey, let’s partner with someone we can help and make it our mission to help the needy.”
Given the orchestra’s name, which it changed in 2012 from San Diego Mormon Choir and Orchestra, a tie-in with ICS was a logical choice.
Previous performances at interfaith Thanksgiving services in Escondido and the presence on the ensemble board of the Rev. Faith Conklin, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church and a devoted ICS supporter, made the partnership with ICS an easy decision.
“We just felt good about it,” said Gray.
The feeling was mutual.
“They really are incredible,” said Jason Coker, Interfaith’s director of communications. “The first time I heard them at the interfaith service, I was just blown away by the quality of musicianship. There really are world-class musicians and choir singers participating in this.”
That professionalism is by design. The group was formed in April 2010 by Gray and her husband, Justin, the longtime music director at Welk Resorts. Their idea was to provide an opportunity to perform for high-quality musicians who aren’t necessarily able to pursue professional careers.
Many in the group are professionals who are volunteering their services to the orchestra. About 50 instrumentalists and 100 choir members are on the roster. They play and sing when they are able.
“Our mission statement is to do something fun and have a high-level opportunity for people who don’t normally have them, to bring together people of different faiths and to use the proceeds to benefit Interfaith Community Services,” said Justin, the orchestra’s conductor and musical arranger.
The orchestra performs a mix of music ranging from sacred hymns and classical standards to rock ‘n’ roll and novelty pieces – sometimes all together.
“We really want to do something different. We tell people if they want to hear a Beethoven symphony, go down to Symphony Hall and have a nice evening of culture. If you want to mix things up, come hear us,” said Justin. “You may not like everything in the concert, but you will like something.”
The orchestra does do Beethoven, but not always in a way people might remember.
“At one concert, we started with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and on the repeat, we put in a banjo solo,” said Cathy.
Everything they do is designed to entertain and to demonstrate the high caliber of musicianship.
“We’re not the San Diego Symphony, but we’re going to be better than your average community orchestra,” said Justin.
“We’re not just another orchestra. When people hear us, they say, ‘Oh, my goodness,’ said Cathy, noting that some of the instrumentalists are in the San Diego Symphony.
The group performs two concerts a year, with weekly rehearsals beginning six weeks before the show for the choir and three weeks before for the orchestra. Auditions were held in January, but prospective musicians can set up a tryout by e-mailing justingraymusic@gmail.com.
The next concert is titled “Celebrating Creation.” It features the choir and orchestra performing selections from Haydn’s “Creation,” Saint-Seans’ “Carnival of the Animals,” unique arrangements of hymns from various faith traditions and a piece called “Catcerto,” by Mindaugas Piecaitis, based on the YouTube videos of a piano-playing cat.
The concert is at 7 p.m. March 9 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Tickets range from $12-$21. Visit sandiegointerfaithchoir.com or call the arts center box office at 800-988-4253.
Comment on this ArticleCalFresh Sign Up!
Do you know someone who struggles to fill their pantry with enough food every month? Let Interfaith Community Services and CalFresh help!
The San Diego Food Bank will be on-site at Interfaith’s Inland Service Center in Escondido, conducting CalFresh sign-ups on January 15th from 8:30am to 12:30pm.
Intake will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis and is open to everyone. Please see the attached flyer for information on needed documents.
Click here to download the CalFresh flyer
Comment on this ArticleCalFresh Sign Up!
Do you know someone who struggles to fill their pantry with enough food every month? Let Interfaith Community Services and CalFresh help!
The San Diego Food Bank will be on-site at Interfaith’s Inland Service Center in Escondido, conducting CalFresh sign-ups on January 15th from 8:30am to 12:30pm.
Intake will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis and is open to everyone. Please see the attached flyer for information on needed documents.
Click here to download the CalFresh flyer
Comment on this ArticleEarl’s road to success
Earl with his truck
Earl Churchill, 52, is enjoying life as a long-haul trucker for Schneider National, teaming with a co-driver on multi-week trips. They pick up trailers at one location and drive them to others.
That’s a much better situation than he had last July, when he was referred to Interfaith Community Services by the Veterans Administration. Churchill, a self-employed carpenter and former Marine rifleman, was struggling to find work because of the weak economy. Basically, he was homeless and jobless, Churchill said, although friends gave him places to stay to keep him off the streets.
“I was sleeping on a couch. I knew I didn’t want to do that. My friends needed privacy,” he said. “A friend suggested I go to the VA for assistance.”
That suggestion led Churchill to Merle’s Place, a transitional housing element of Interfaith’s veterans services program. While living in the shelter for veterans at the ICS Escondido office, Churchill received career advice, life-skills instruction and the chance to use the computer lab, where he got assistance in preparing resumes.
With help from veterans advocate Oscar Cannon, Churchill was accepted into the truck-driver program at California Career School in Oceanside. He excelled in the six-week program, getting good grades and enjoying the work.
“He’s more of a go-getter. He never gave up,” said Cannon. “He was always talking to me about going into this program and what he had to do to get into that program. He has a real positive attitude.”
Churchill received job offers before he completed the trucking program. After careful study, he chose to sign on with Schneider, with whom he started working in April, the same month he left Merle’s Place. His first assignment put him on the road for 24 days. Another 21-day journey followed in mid-June.
“It’s rewarding, and I do like it,” said Churchill, who stays with a friend in Vista when he’s not on the road. He’s looking toward finding his own place once he determines how much he’ll be in the area.
Churchill says the value of the assistance he got at Merle’s Place and through Interfaith was “priceless.”
“I know I’m a hard worker, and I didn’t think I’d be homeless long. Without the program, I wouldn’t have had stability; I wouldn’t have had a roof over my head,” he said. “Without Interfaith and their assistance, I would not be where I am now, which is a lot closer to being stable and having a place of my own.
A Holiday Letter From Our Executive Director
As we enter the holiday season, those of us here at Interfaith are especially grateful during this, our 30th Anniversary year. Our organization stands as a testimony that together we can make a difference in the lives of people who are profoundly struggling.
Despite unprecedented numbers of people coming through our doors – nearly 17% more in the last 12 months than in the previous year – we are striving to meet people’s needs with your incredible generosity.
Please remember Interfaith in your year-end giving. Interfaith serves the most desperate and struggling people in our community – those who have been hit hardest by the lingering effects of the recession. Only by coming together can we weather this continuing increase in needs and the ongoing cuts in government funded programs that serve the poorest in our midst.
We are nearly halfway through our 30th Anniversary campaign and looking forward to celebrating its conclusion with our 30th Anniversary Gala, “Set Sail With Us!” on April 20th at La Costa Resort and Spa. This will be a wonderful time to celebrate the legacy of Interfaith’s work and the future of our organization, as well as those who make it possible through their service and generosity. We invite you to join us at that gathering.
We also invite our supporters to consider joining a new effort to create three-year strategic plans for each of our major program departments. We are currently assembling a series of advisory committees who will help our staff assess the needs in the community and determine the best path forward for each of our critical program areas.
On behalf of all the staff, volunteers, and clients at Interfaith, we wish you a happy holiday season! A sincere thanks to all those who have given of themselves this year to make our programs possible. May this year be filled with all the blessings of the season. Interfaith is blessed to count you as a supporter.
Sincerely,
Richard Batt
Comment on this ArticleInterfaith opens “Haven House”, an emergency winter shelter
Ribbon cutting
Homeless individuals in North County have a new haven from the cold this winter.
Haven House opened Saturday, Dec. 1, at Interfaith Community Services’ Escondido office. A full house of 40 men and women were sheltered on that opening night.
Haven House is one of four winter shelters that opened that night as part of a network operated by the Alliance for Regional Solutions, which embraces nine cities that came together in 2007 to figure out better ways to deal with issues such as homelessness.
The new shelter opened in the section of the ICS-owned building previously occupied by Meza Automotive Paint. Volunteers and staff members refurbished bunk beds obtained from Donovan State Prison, cleaning, sanitizing and painting over graffiti on the beds, as well as aiding in the conversion of the former auto businesses to a welcoming environment.
About 40 people turned out Nov. 29 for the dedication of the new shelter. It replaces space leased from the Salvation Army in Escondido in recent years.
“They ran it for many years and did an excellent job. The problem was finding space,” said Rick Batt, ICS executive director. “This will provide a stable home for the shelter until such time that we establish a permanent year-round shelter in this region.”
Interfaith CEO Rick Batt speaking with Escondido Mayor Sam Abed
Homelessness is not just a winter problem, Batt continued. It affects men, women and families with children and pets year-round.
“We’ll work with local clergy and cities to take homeless people off the street and into stable employment and living situations,” Batt added. “This is just one step toward establishing a stronger resource network for the homeless.”
The shelter provides 10 beds for women and 30 for men. Each bed is covered with a handmade quilt created by members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A locker at the end of each bed holds toiletries, towels and socks and offers space for the users to store their belongings.
Colorful murals decorate the shelter walls, painted by members of the Escondido Arts Partnership.
Shelter clients are served dinner and breakfast and provided with a sack lunch. They also receive case management, a wellness assessment and have access to tax and legal assistance and employment services through Interfaith.
“Our goal is not to run a free hotel at night for people in need,” said Batt. “Our goal is to help people get re-situated into real life.”
UPDATE: Nightly Meal Providers Needed!
Date(s): Multiple Dates, January-March (Call for specific dates)
Time: 6:30 pm – Set Up; 7:00 pm – Serving Meal
Place: Interfaith Community Services, 550 West Washington Avenue, Escondido
Contact: Jan Ferris, jferris@interfaithservices.org or 760.801.0420 to reserve the date that you would like to prepare and serve the meal.
Details: There are an abundance of dates where meals are needed. We ask that the volunteers prepare and bring meals that are balanced, including protein and vegetables. Each meal should be enough for at least 60 people.
Examples: Past meals have included burrito bars, pasta and salad, chili, and casseroles, but the options are almost unlimited! Getting various people to bring different parts of a meal or making smaller portions of the same recipe is a great way to get several people involved! Please ask for more ideas and suggestions!
If you or your group is not able to prepare a meal but is interested in providing a monetary donation towards this effort, Interfaith is able to provide a meal for as little $100.
Comment on this ArticleThe Festival of Trees Has Arrived!
The San Marcos Senior Services Foundation has opened their second annual Festival of Trees!
This year, the creatively decorated trees will be displayed at San Marcos City Hall, a 10-day event beginning Monday, November 19, and running through December 2, 2012. Approximately 50 professionally decorated artificial trees are on display for public viewing and purchase.
A Holiday Boutique brings unique gifts and seasonal decorations for sale. This event is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser each year with the profits going to seniors in crisis in our community. Last year, the Foundation raised $20,000 with help from corporations and individuals like you who understand the need and want to help these deserving seniors who live in fear of losing their home, not having enough to eat, or not being able to buy their medicine. A special crisis fund will be administered by Project CARE, a program of Interfaith Community Services.
Please consider becoming an event sponsor or sponsoring a tree for the festival today!
Comment on this ArticleGeorge Weir Asphalt and Across Town Movers come through for the winter shelter
Huge thanks to George Weir Asphalt Construction and Across Town Movers!
Recently Interfaith received a delivery of 20 sets of bunk beds from Donovan State Prison, donated specifically for the new Escondido Emergency Shelter, which is being hosted by Interfaith this year. The shelter will be open December 1, 2012 through March 31 2013 with a capacity for 40 adults, both men and women.
We still need lots of help to operate this critical shelter this winter! We need volunteers to help out in lots of great ways, from coordinating operations details to preparing meals for the residents. And of course, we need donations to cover the costs! Anything you can do to help out with make a difference.
Click our volunteer or donate buttons at the top to get involved!
Comment on this Article