As the Year Ends

December 3, 2024

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As the Year Ends

All of us at InterFaith Works greatly appreciate all the past support that has allowed us to continue the important work we do. Having you stand by us means a great deal to me personally, as well as to our clients and staff.

This year’s appeal is of great importance to InterFaith Works due to the uncertainty of refugee arrivals for 2025 and beyond. With the nearly unfathomable number of 75 million people globally under the care of the United Nations, and with the long-time commitment of the United States to resettlement, the need for our programs and loving services has never been greater.

The US Refugee Assistance Program requires moral fiber to push for the program, and on-the-ground leadership to do the hundreds of things to get each family here and help them upon arrival. Having settled almost 4,000 people during the last four years, we plan to be here with a full staff to ensure these families get the start they need in employment, education, citizenship preparation, and health services. InterFaith Works has this capacity, and we will do all we can to keep our programs running, as we did from 2017 to 2020. We came out of that time stronger and nimbler, and we plan to do the same from 2025 to 2028.

Our agency and the community partners that work with us to settle refugees have been asked to stretch in the next few months, and to settle a substantial number of refugees before January 20th. This ensures that our community has the workforce it needs, and that we rescue as many families as possible.

Now, I am turning to you to ask for help in a bigger way this year. If you have given your financial support in the past, please consider doubling down on your gift to our Year-End Campaign. If you have not given to our agency before, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. We also ask that you keep us and the families we serve in your thoughts and prayers.

InterFaith Works is one of the reasons that our community is so vibrant and diverse, and our programs celebrating diversity and ending hatred will be sustained whatever comes. We know that you share these values and want to see them expand.

We are deeply grateful for any additional help and support you can provide at this time, and we wish you all the best in the coming year.

Beth A. Broadway

President & CEO

Professional Development Training at Jordan-Elbridge Schools

During Jordan-Elbridge's professional development day in November, the Center for Dialogue & Action staff trained 150 members of the district's staff. The training focused on Community Building, Dialogue and Facilitation Training, Micro-aggressions, and Bystander to Upstander training. CDA staff members Pete Willner, Hanan Muse, and Andrea Jacobs led the training, which was based in discussion and participation. Participants experienced full-group activities, table discussions and dialogues, and small group team building and case scenario projects.

Prior to the full staff training, Hanan and Andrea engaged the Jordan-Elbridge DEI Committee - a mixture of 30 people (students, staff, and community) - in a short program which highlighted a few of the activities that were planned for the district staff the following week. Jordan-Elbridge is enthusiastic about their new partnership with the Center for Dialogue & Action and look forward to continuing their efforts toward creating a welcoming and affirming environment.

On November 16, in conjunction with Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, the staff of the Center for Dialogue & Action helped to distribute 200 turkeys to local residents.

Many of our programs would not be as successful without the dedication and support of our volunteers. If you're interested in becoming a Refreshing Place volunteer, please reach out to Serena K. Jackson at sjackson@ifwcny.org or 315.449.3552 x214.

In November, the Center for Healthy Aging offered three digital literacy courses to help seniors learn the ins and outs of online shopping and how to do so safely.

In November, Jennie Prouty, Senior Volunteer Coordinator along with the IFW staff, honored the volunteers of the Center for New Americans. Collectively over the course of one year, the volunteers worked the equivalent of a single full-time staff person working for three years. That means our volunteers worked roughly 6,240 hours this year. Amazing! Thank you, volunteers!

Retirement of Rev. Kate Day

Rev. Kate Lufkin Day has been serving as InterFaith Works’ Managing Chaplain at Crouse Health in Syracuse. She is also a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. At the end of this month, Rev. Day will be retiring from her roles. Please join us in wishing Rev. Day the best of luck in her retirement!

Click Here for Employment Opportunities

Current Openings:

President/CEO - InterFaith Works

Intensive Case Worker - Center for New Americans

Immigration Services Coordinator - Center for New Americans

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About InterFaith Works of CNY

InterFaith Works affirms the dignity of each person and every faith tradition, builds racial and religious equity, and creates bridges of understanding among us. The agency has served the Central New York Community for 48 years with programs that include the Center for Healthy Aging, the Center for New Americans, and the El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action.

InterFaith Works of CNY | 1010 James St. | Syracuse, NY 13203

Phone: 315-449-3552 | Fax: 315-449-3103 | Email: info@ifwcny.org | interfaithworks.org