By Greg Anglea, Chief Executive Officer, Interfaith Community Services (2018 Annual Report)

Alone we make ripples. Together we make waves. That was the founding philosophy of Interfaith Community Services back in 1979, and that concept continues to guide our work each and every day in communities across North San Diego County.

In 2018, Interfaith Community Services moved 1,198 neighbors off the streets, launched programs to increase recovery and wellness, fed 150,000 meals to hungry neighbors, and turned the tide of change for 17,167 individuals throughout the communities we call home.

Interfaith worked with donors, volunteers, community partners, and faith communities to make waves of change in the lives of our neighbors who needed support the most.

A couple of programs included:

• Nordson Corporation, a manufacturing company in Carlsbad, supported Interfaith with two grants totaling $165,000 for Family Housing and the Betty and Melvin Cohn Center remodel. Employees donated 100 backpacks filled with school supplies for all grade levels.
• Students from California State University San Marcos hosted ‘Operation Art,’ an art-therapy project aimed at helping homeless veterans, which debuted last year at Interfaith.
• This spring, Interfaith launched a new platform for sharing the stories of San Diego’s homeless community: a podcast entitled “Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories.”

Our Impact:

• 1,198 - Number of men, women, and children placed in independent housing
• 500 - Approximate number of people who sleep under an Interfaith roof on any given night
• 445 - Number of homeless individuals referred to resource providers in partnership with Oceanside Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team.
• 100% - Percentage of transitional age Youth Academy students who successfully graduated high school
• $3,470,488 - Total dollar amount returned to low-income North County households through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
• 47,077 – total volunteer hours contributed which is equal to a donation of $1,369,462.

We hope you learn about our work, our partnerships, and our dedication to North San Diego County and look forward to making a difference with you in the year to come.