November 16, 2023

When I think of the Thanksgiving Holiday, I am grateful for many things. I think back to all the holiday dinners my Mother made for our family. My bedroom was above the kitchen, and the only source of heat to my room was a circular metal grate in the floor that allowed the heat from the kitchen to waft into my room. When my Mom was cooking, all those smells came with the heat. Those wonderful fragrances of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and squash cooking on our stove was the most glorious way to wake up on Thanksgiving morning. It’s one of my fondest memories.

My Mom came to the United States in 1945, shortly after World War II to unite with my Dad, who had served in the Army Air Corp. and was stationed in her small village in England. I am so grateful that she was so brave, determined, and resilient. Leaving her family, friends, and homeland in search of a better life for my sister and herself was amazing, in my mind, for a young girl of 24 years. Her story has many parallels to the experiences of the people we encounter here at InterFaith Works, every day.

Because she was a strong woman, faith-filled with the belief that life in America would be good, she persevered into the unknown. Life wasn’t always easy, but she never gave up. She conquered one challenge after another. She became a US citizen, raised nine children, was married to my Dad for 52 years, and enjoyed 25 grandchildren. I am grateful every day for her life.

Patty Radell

Vice President/CFO

Our Center for New Americans recently held a luncheon to thank and appreciate the volunteers for their thousands of hours worked and the thousands of people they have helped over the past year. We can not do the great work we do without them, so don't forget to thank a volunteer.

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Jennie Prouty for more information on the various opportunities available.

Jennie Prouty

Volunteer Coordinator

315-449-3103

jprouty@ifwcny.org

Imagine setting up an apartment for daily living. Most of us have moved households at some point, but imagine setting up everything from bedsheets to kitchenware and all the items in between. Refugee families face this reality when arriving in Central New York, and InterFaith Works meets those needs for every client and family, thanks to caring people like you.

The Center for New Americans Resettlement Wish Lists are a new way to contribute household items to help a family resettle. It's as simple as following the link and placing an order through the Amazon, Target and Walmart websites. Your order ships directly to the InterFaith Works Warehouse in East Syracuse. From there, Warehouse staff and volunteers organize and distribute items, so newly arriving families have everything they need.

The needs of the Warehouse stockpiles will change, as will the needs of arriving families, depending on the month and/or season. So check out the Resettlement Wish Lists today, next week, next month or periodically for the changing in list needs, and thank you for being part of creating new homes in Central New York!

If you would like to donate goods and/or household items from your home or residence, the Warehouse (14 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse) is open for drop off on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00AM to noon. For large donation items, the InterFaith Works truck can be scheduled for pick up in the greater Syracuse area on Mondays only. For more information about the Warehouse/truck drop off or pick up services and schedules, contact Rhonda Butler at 315-449-3552, ext. 127, or email rbutler@ifwcny.org.

See all available positions here!

Contact Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter at 315-449-3552, ext. 111,

or email Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter.