Who Are We:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When was Interfaith Community Services created? ICS was incorporated in 1985, originally as Northwest Interfaith Center. In 2005, after 20 years of serving the community, we changed our name to Interfaith Community Services to reflect the countywide scope of our services.

What does ICS believe? We believe that our diverse faiths call us all to serve people in need. Through working side by side, we not only maximize our scope of services, but also build bridges of understanding. Our guiding principals are to provide compassionate service through "love, cooperation and service."

Whom and how does ICS serve? In 2007, we provided over 40,000 individual services to more than 22,000 people! More than 98% of all of ICS clients fit under the Federal poverty guidelines. Affordable housing, low-paying wages of the working-poor families, limited public transportation, lack of medical insurance and increasing medical costs are issues affecting our recipients.

ICS Senior Programs work with seniors and disabled individuals who need additional support in order to remain independent in their homes. Income is not a basis for service. Programs in this area include: Caregiving Services, Mobile Meals, and Health Advocacy.

ICS Social Services are available for low income families and those facing financial crisis. Our services help prevent homelessness and fill the financial emergency need until the household can get back on its feet. Unexpected crises, such as an employment layoff, medical emergency, divorce, or major car repair often force such families into a financial crisis, risking the loss of home, job, or life-saving medical care. Programs in this area include a Food Bank and Emergency Financial Assistance.

What area does ICS serve? ICS services span metropolitan Tucson and Pima County. Our Mobile Meals program serves the area east of Interstate 10 to Swan Road and north of Roger Road to Rancho Vistoso.

Do you have to belong to a faith community to participate in ICS or to receive services? Our services and volunteer opportunities are open to all regardless of beliefs, and our only goal is to provide compassionate service to those who need it. Although we partner with more than 40 Tucson area faith communities, we do not advocate any particular belief.

What are some specific examples of people you serve? Here are several heartwarming stories of the people we help. Click here for more information and stories about our volunteers and the people we serve.

• A man, who is legally blind and had recent hip and heart surgeries, is the caregiver for his wife who has Alzheimer′s. They are in their mid-80s and are unable to cook for themselves. They have no family nearby, but are able to remain together in their home with the support of ICS Mobile Meals and the help of several friends.
• A family consisting of a disabled mother and two children, ages 5 and 14, was facing eviction after the mother′s disability check was stolen. During the time it took to get a replacement check, we provided rent and utility deposits so they could remain in their home.
• Another family, with 7- and 9-year-old children, was referred to us by the Tucson Unified School District. The mother had to miss work several times to address child custody issues. We provided one-time assistance with rent and utilities, and she has been working full-time since then.

What are some ICS needs? Although ICS “does a lot with a little,” there are continuing unmet needs in our community. Our needs are in three areas: volunteers, in-kind donations, and funds.

More volunteers. Our greatest volunteer need is for drivers. If 12 new drivers gave 3 to 4 hours a week to transport a senior to a medical appointment, we could provide 624 more services per year.

Increased in-kind donations. Our Food Bank has an ongoing need for food and hygiene items. This need multiplies during the summer months when many of our supporters are on vacation. Especially useful are pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and deodorant.

Increased funding. Each week we are saddened by the number of people we are unable to serve. Our goal is to increase our services by 10% each year...an ambitious goal that will require additional volunteers and financial support. All gifts are welcome. Click here for ways that you can help.

Gasoline is expensive. Is there any reimbursement for volunteer drivers? Certain volunteer assignments qualify for mileage reimbursement made possible through the Regional Transportation Authority funding. This includes transporting seniors to and from medical appointments or errands such as shopping and banking, and those who deliver Mobile Meals to seniors or disabled persons. This reimbursement currently is set at the federal business rate of 50.5 cents per mile.

How can I help? Give from your heart; share your time and financial resources with us. You can volunteer, give donations in the memory of a loved one, and tell others about our mission. Contact us today! Through your generosity, you will be providing a better tomorrow for your neighbors in need.

For information on volunteering, click Join us or contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@icstucson.org.

To help us financially, click Donate or contact Monnie Applegate, Development Director at mapplegate@icstucson.org.