Information about
Faith Community Service Fund
MISSION STATEMENT:
Faith Community Service Fund promotes lasting change
for families in Northern Colorado.
Brief history of organization:
Around the year 2000, Weld County Colorado became one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Along with this growth, the stress of high living costs created a growing "working poor" community -- people working, yet one paycheck away from the inability to pay bills. Additionally, when a family experienced an emergency situation, they were thrust into a crisis situation. This was reflected in our community – United Way 211 call requests nearly tripled since 2004, and were up to 6,700 in three month period. Churches also felt this changing situation. One church went from four walk-ins per month to 25 per month.
In February 2005, a group of Ministers, United Way 211 and individuals met to discuss solutions to this alarming trend. Due to the delicate nature of church, government, and agency relations in our community, the logical route was to begin a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Thus, the Faith Community Service Fund was born. Since July 2005, the Faith Community Service Fund serves collaboratively with churches, businesses, United Way 211, and organizations seeking to address needs of our community. Faith Fund received the Volunteer of Excellence Award in the year 2007.
How many total clients are served annually:
In 2008, we served 188 families with emergency funding, plus 89 individuals with birth certificates and identification cards.
What are the demographics of the population being served:
Low-income to lower middle-income family units, all races, creeds.
Current major initiatives:
1. We are continuing our Faith Community Service Fund appointments, meeting with families to provide relief.
2. Bridges of Hope – our once-a-month evening where families can better their situation by meeting with volunteer counselors in differing professions.
3. FaithNet – teams of volunteer mentors meeting with families to empower the family to long-term change.
What is the greatest challenge you foresee for your organization in the next year:
Continuing to develop diversified income streams to hire more full-time staff; developing our FaithNet empowering program.Raism.
How are Empty Stocking funds expended to
benefit your clients:
This is our first year of the Empty Stocking Fund.
What is the true, lasting impact of the Empty
Stocking Fund on your organization/clients:
This will allow our clients to “get over the hump,” the funds can be used to provide relief for a family to get back on their feet.The eds.