Jawando To Discuss Renter Protection Legislation
County Councilmember Will Jawando (At Large) is scheduled to discuss his proposed legislation to provide additional protections to renters affected by the COVID health emergency. He will take part in the Emergency Assistance Coalition (EAC) meeting on Wednesday, Sept 1. The bill would limit rent increases and prohibit landlords from charging fees accrued for late rent payments during the emergency and for one year after the emergency expires.
Aug. 26 Community Conversation
Join us for a Community Conversation: Answering Your Questions About Homelessness.
Policy Forum on Child Care
Interfaith Works gathered a panel of experts to explore the hurdles confronting parents who are trying to find and hold down jobs but are unable to access affordable child care.
A Fresh Start
Do you remember that “fall feeling” just before the start of a new school year? Thinking back, I remember a sense of anticipation, maybe mixed with just a bit of trepidation. Would I be assigned to a homeroom with my friends? Would I like my teachers? Would I feel ready to take on new classes?
Remembering
I recently took part in a moving ceremony honoring the memory of 88 people who had experienced homelessness and passed away in 2020 and 2021. We honored them by saying their names out loud. It was a somber occasion that pointed to the negative impacts homelessness can have on people’s health. In the end, having a place to call home for all of our neighbors is essential to their well-being.
Honoring the Memory of Neighbors Who Are Gone
IW CEO Courtney Hall and IW Senior Case Manager Katie Guzzey joined nonprofit, faith, and governmental leaders at a service honoring the memory of individuals who had experienced homelessness and passed away during 2020 and 2021. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of ensuring a home for everyone in Montgomery County and that the experience of homelessness is rare, brief and one-time only.
Podcast Interview with Courtney Hall
CEO Courtney Hall recently was interviewed by The Truman Charities Podcast: A Community of Caring. Courtney provided insights into IW’s transforming impacts, including providing more than 50,000 bednights of safe shelter each year to vulnerable Montgomery County neighbors, feeding hundreds of families made food insecure due to the pandemic, and helping 147 people find living-wage jobs. Take a listen.
July Community Conversation: Understanding the Faces of Homelessness
Join us on Thursday, July 29, at 7 pm for a community conversation with experts on “Understanding the Faces of Homelessness.” The conversation will be facilitated by IW’s Rev. Dr. Rosetta Robinson.
Statement Regarding Plight of Middlebrook Mobile Home Park Residents
Interfaith Works is dedicated to preventing homelessness and providing programs that serve as a catalyst to help lift vulnerable neighbors out of poverty. In light of our mission, we are concerned about the plight of residents of Middlebrook Mobile Home Park in Germantown. Some residents of this community, many of whom are immigrants, face the possibility of eviction or losing access to water due to unusually large water bills they cannot afford to pay.
Resting on a Cloud
Luckily for Interfaith Works and those we serve, there are people who see a need and will not rest until they respond to it.
More to the Story: Vocational Services Program
Interfaith Works’ Vocational Services Program (VSP) provides tailored support for low-income and/or homeless individuals through job readiness programs, employment assistance, and support after employment. The program helps our neighbors move forward to achieve the stability, dignity, and independence that employment can bring.
Support our 2021 Backpack Campaign
Help school-aged children start the new school year right: support the IW backpack campaign. This year, IW hopes to supply new backpacks filled with new school supplies to 3,000 students, who are coming back into classrooms after a tough year of remote learning.
A Welcome Sense of Renewal
Spring brings such a welcome sense of renewal. The concept of renewal also is central to our work at IW. With your help, our essential services provide those we serve with important opportunities to begin anew, turn a corner, and head toward something better.
The Strength of a Mother’s Love
It is said that there is nothing stronger than the power of a mother’s love. Of the guests in IW’s shelter programs, more than 40 are mothers. Mother’s Day can be a difficult time, because some of our residents are separated from their children. At times, they can draw strength and purpose from working on be reunified.
Art, Joy, and Hope
It is said that art feeds the soul. If so, the residents at the Interfaith Works Women’s Center recently welcomed a feast — a generous art donation that is making a huge impact.
Making Vaccine Access More Equitable
In an effort to continue and expand our campaign to make access to the COVID-19 vaccine more equitable, the IW Clothing Center partnered with MobileMed Mobile Medical Care to provide a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for our neighbors in need.