This season of thanksgiving, extending over the next two months, is busy and rewarding for InterServ. We witness people, in word and deed – through their workplace, places of worship, schools and in their homes – radiate the definition of community as a gathering of people who care about one another.

One could say that from those expressions of goodwill and generosity that we can better carry out the work of the organization to effectively address difficult social issues; hunger, homelessness, isolation, discrimination, poverty. Yet your sharing that supports InterServ is about the compassion of faithfully serving people extending hope, connectedness and sense of community to those in need, especially to those facing hardships, distress or brokenness or as the Old Testament defines, as the caring for the widow, the orphan and the stranger.

Whether in volunteering or contributions, you are important to the mission of InterServ because of the caring and compassion that you make visible in our community through our service centers, in neighborhoods, in homes. The In-Sight newsletter provides opportunities to be a part of this holiday season and it gives wonderful examples of what your compassion looks like to the elderly and homebound senior, to the latchkey youth, to the young child in early care & education centers, to families seeking assistance with basic needs.

We are grateful for the gift that God has given us through Christ and the social teaching of the Gospel that shape and guide our work. And on behalf of the board of directors, staff, volunteers and those served, we give thanks for your support in word and deed in this blessed and holy season knowing that God’s love and compassion comes through each of us.

Angel Tree Brightens Christmas for Seniors

Six months ago she didn’t expect to make it to Christmas.  Yet, her name is one of those on our senior angel tree list this year.  He is has an extremely low income, and no family around to care for him.  Both of these people will have a little nicer Christmas this year, because they are on InterServ’s Senior Angel Tree.  We have approximately 30 more seniors to be adopted. 

Each year, InterServ helps its senior services clients who are in special need, due to low income or lack of family support, to have a better Christmas than they might otherwise have.  You can help by calling Laurie Piper at 816-238-4511 Ext. 129 or e-mail lpiper@inter-serv.org. 

As you begin to think about Christmas shopping, think about helping a senior on our angel tree list.

United Way Time!

InterServ staff and volunteers have been pounding the pavement at local United Way rallies held by businesses and corporations around the area recently.
The support that United Way gives InterServ is vital to our programming. As the largest recipient of UW funding, InterServ gladly promotes the UW campaign to raise a little over $3 million to support the 18 agencies and its 6 initiatives.
Please support the local United Way! The campaign runs through the end of October!

InterServ announces Building InterServ

$5 million capital campaign to replace wesley center

 

 

St. Joseph, Mo. _ After many years of exploration, information gathering and prayer, The InterServ
Foundation, in support of Interfaith Community Services, Inc., has announced a goal of $5 million to build a new health and wellness center in south St. Joseph.

The “Building InterServ” capital campaign was approved by both the InterServ Board of Directors and The InterServ Foundation Board of Directors during the summer of 2014 and a capital campaign committee was formed. This committee is chaired by Mr. Joseph K. Houts, Jr. and co-chaired by Mrs. Joyce Edwards.
 

The focus of the five-year plan is to secure funding to erect a new community center in support of

InterServ’s faithful commitment to our community that began in 1909. All campaign funding will support new construction at the corner of Cherokee and King Hill Avenue that will replace the Wesley Center and allow InterServ to continue operations in St. Joseph for another 100 years.
 

Through the combined efforts of leadership at both InterServ and The InterServ Foundation, $1,694,745 of the $5 million goal has been raised with total commitment by both InterServ boards, its administration and staff.

Ellison-Auxier Architects, Inc. will be the design firm for the project. Preliminary work on the design has been started and will continue over the next year, providing for a new gymnasium, commons area, fitness/weightroom, kitchen and food pantry.

 

For more information concerning “Building InterServ” contact The InterServ Foundation at (816) 238-4511, ext. 222 or at www.theinterservfoundation.org.