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The work continues.
Every week, Senior Companions build friendships with older adults in our community. Chaplains offer presence in the institutions where they serve. Young people learn to lead across lines of difference. And next spring, newly arrived families will begin growing food and carrying on their food traditions in a new community garden. This is the work of InterFaith Works, and these are the ways more people connect with one another and take part fully in the life of this community.
It has been a while since you heard from us. We paused our newsletter in September to prepare for ILAD, our Interfaith Leadership Awards Dinner, and a lot has happened since.
ILAD brought us together. More than 550 people joined us for this year's dinner, my first as president of InterFaith Works. We honored six community leaders and saw what it looks like when hundreds of people gather around a shared belief that our differences do not have to divide us.
Our Senior Companions Program turned 40. At a luncheon marking the anniversary, we honored current Senior Companions, including several who have given more than a decade to this work. These volunteers - who are all older adults themselves - visit, listen and build friendships with other older adults in our community. We wanted them to hear our thanks out loud.
Our chaplains came together. For the first time, we convened 14 IFW chaplains serving in institutions across the community to build relationships and begin exploring how they can support one another and how InterFaith Works can continue supporting their work.
Our youth leaders shared their work. This summer, Youth Leadership Institute students took part in dialogues, community engagement, and action planning. At the symposium, they presented projects on the history of redlining in Syracuse, reported on the state of housing in the city today, and offered reflections on what the experience meant to them.
United Way chose our garden. On September 29, InterFaith Works won the $10,000 grand prize at United Way of Central New York's Good For CNY pitch competition, along with the $1,000 Fan Favorite award voted on by the audience. The funds will help launch our Refugee Community Garden.
Help us bring more people in.
All of this happens because people believe in this work and invite others to believe in it too.
At ILAD, I shared that Judy and Eric Mower, longtime friends of InterFaith Works, have offered a $100,000 matching challenge. They will match, dollar for dollar, gifts from new donors and from those who have not given in the past two years, up to $100,000. Their hope, and ours, is about more than the dollars. It is to bring more people into the work of our mission.
Funds raised through this challenge will directly support the work of our Center for New Americans, serving refugees and immigrants, and our Center for Healthy Aging, helping older adults age with dignity in our community.
Here is how you can help:
Introduce us to someone who cares about Central New York. Forward this newsletter and tell them why you care.
If you are new to InterFaith Works or have not given in the past two years, make a gift and it will be matched. To make a gift, please click here.
We had a lot to celebrate these past two months. What I am most grateful for is quieter: people continue showing up for one another, week after week.
With gratitude,
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Chris Foley
President & CEO
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As we are celebrating our 50-year history of service to CNY, we will be uplifting one of our core programs each month. These programs are our legacy and our future. This month, we focus on the Police-Community Dialogues. The content below was written by Barbara Davis, Ph.D.
The Police–Community Dialogue Program of InterFaith Works of Central New York is a longstanding initiative that creates structured spaces for Syracuse residents and police officers to engage in deep, honest dialogue. Rooted in the belief that sustained communication can reduce tension and rebuild trust, the dialogues are co-facilitated by a community leader and a law enforcement officer. They typically occur in six-session formats, with 8–15 participants meeting weekly for two-hour conversations. The groups include a mix of police officers, residents, faith leaders, new Americans, and youth, all engaging with one another not in their roles, but as people. Each dialogue circle is guided by a structured, trauma-informed approach that includes storytelling, active listening, and facilitated exercises to help participants unpack assumptions and build mutual understanding.
This approach is what makes the Dialogues effective. “You begin to learn a new perspective", said Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile. “A new perspective is something you carry with you the rest of your life. That’s the power of these dialogues.” SPD officer Richard Solomon said, “If I don’t know who I'm protecting on a personal level, then how am I going to do it efficiently?” The police department’s chaplain, Pastor Daren C. Jaime, said, “These dialogues are really meaningful because you have officers, and the community come together in a non-hostile environment. I think the police walk away with a greater understanding and I think our community residents walk away with a greater understanding.”
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Building Independence Through Intensive Case Management
Hanifah, a refugee from Burma and father of three, was enrolled in IFW’s Intensive Case Management (ICM) program to receive support in navigating healthcare, public benefits, transportation, immigration services, and school enrollment for his child.
Through individualized case management and coordinated referrals, Hanifah received assistance connecting with essential community resources and accessing services for his family. The ICM program worked alongside him to address barriers, strengthen his ability to navigate complex systems, and promote greater stability for his household.
Today, Hanifah has made significant progress toward independence. He can attend appointments, request interpretation when needed, and access community resources on his own. His journey reflects the impact of culturally responsive, individualized support in empowering refugee families to overcome challenges, build confidence, and work toward long-term self-sufficiency.
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50th Anniversary Proclamation from Governor Kathy Hochul
We are deeply honored to receive a citation from Governor Kathy Hochul recognizing InterFaith Works for 50 years of service to Central New York.
For five decades, InterFaith Works has worked alongside our community to affirm the dignity of every person and every faith tradition, build bridges across lines that too often divide us, and create opportunities for people to connect, belong, and thrive.
We are grateful for the leaders, partners, supporters, volunteers, staff, and community members who have shaped our past and continue to make our work possible.
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Loretto Foundation: Mission in Motion Centennial Celebration
We are honored and grateful to have received the Community Impact Award from Loretto! This recognition celebrates the meaningful difference we can make when we come together in service to our community.
We are especially proud of our Center for Healthy Aging staff and volunteers, whose compassion, dedication, and commitment carry this work into homes, neighborhoods, and facilities throughout Central New York. Every day, they help older adults stay connected, supported, and engaged in the communities they call home.
Thank you to Loretto for this honor, for your partnership, and for the opportunity to continue this important work together.
We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to NYS Senator Rachel May, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, and Susan Clancy-Magley, recipient of the John H. Clancy Mission Leadership Award. We celebrate your leadership and the meaningful contributions you make to our community.
At the heart of this work is something remarkably simple: someone has to show up. We are grateful for the staff, volunteers, and community partners who do just that, day after day. And together, we will.
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Year-End Gift Distribution: Meeting Families Where They Are
This year, InterFaith Works is reimagining our annual Year-End Gift Distribution, formerly known as Year-End Gift Baskets, to give individuals and families greater choice and autonomy. Rather than providing preassembled baskets, we will gather essential supplies that recipients can select based on what is most beneficial to them and their families.
We are collecting blankets, toys, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and nonperishable food to support New American families, older adults, and family members of incarcerated individuals in our community.
Every family has different needs, and we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to choose the items that will make the greatest difference in their lives. By donating supplies, you can help us make this year's distribution more personal, meaningful, and responsive to the needs of the people we serve.
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Medical Supply Closet
The Center for Healthy Aging’s Medical Supply Closet helps older adults access the medical equipment they need. We are currently accepting walkers with seats, large wheelchairs, heating pads, detachable or handheld shower heads, and blood pressure monitors. Your contributions support the seniors in our community in achieving independence!
For questions and assistance, or to inquire about donating to the medical supply closet, please contact your Neighborhood Advisor at NA@ifwcny.org or 315-449-3552 X260
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Welcome Home Tours
Since August, Welcome Home has had the pleasure of welcoming numerous community leaders and partners to see firsthand the progress and work that has been completed. These visits have provided an opportunity to share the impact of this initiative, highlight the work accomplished, and build connections with individuals who are invested in strengthening our community.
Among those who have visited are Aminy Audi, CEO and Chair of the Board of Stickley Furniture; Assemblywoman Pam Hunter of the 128th District; Melanie Littlejohn, President and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation; New York State Senator Chris Ryan; and representatives from Plymouth Church. We are grateful for their time, interest, and commitment to learning more about Welcome Home and the work being done to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
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Good for CNY Pitch Recipients
On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, five local organizations made their best pitch for the chance to win $10,000.
A panel of five judges were challenged to decide the winning $10,000 and audience members were encouraged to vote for their "fan favorite pitch" for an additional $1,000 reward.
Genevieve Marshall, Senior Director for Center for New Americans, and Justin Deyo, Intensive Case Worker, made a pitch for the use of community gardens, canning lessons and long-term sustainability for gardening work for those affected by SNAP changes. InterFaith Works is excited to announce that we were awarded the $10,000 judges' pick and the $1,000 fan favorite pick!
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From Program Participant to IFW Team Member
Shah is one of the newest members of the InterFaith Works (IFW) team! With a master’s degree in Crisis and Disaster Management, Shah qualified to participate in our Professional Pathways Program, where he received individualized coaching in networking, resume tailoring, and interview preparation.
As Shah worked toward his goal of building a career in the nonprofit sector, his IFW Job Coach informed him of an opening at IFW for a Social Care Navigator position. Recognizing the opportunity to take the next step in his career, Shah applied for the position. After successfully completing two interviews, he received and accepted a job offer!
We are excited to welcome Shah to the IFW Community Well-Being team. His journey is a wonderful example of how career coaching, professional development, and the right opportunities can help individuals turn their career goals into reality. His Job Coach is especially thrilled to welcome her former client as one of her newest coworkers!
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Know Your Rights Training: Back-to-School Preparedness
On September 23, the Immigration Services team hosted a Know Your Rights (KYR) training for fellow staff members focusing on Back-to-School Preparedness and the rights of parents and students when confronted with immigration enforcement in local schools. The session provided an opportunity for staff to strengthen their understanding of these important issues and learn about the rights and protections available to immigrant families as they navigate the school year.
The training emphasized the importance of ensuring that families have access to reliable information about their rights and feel better prepared to navigate questions or concerns related to immigration enforcement in school settings. By increasing staff awareness and knowledge, the session supports the team's efforts to share accurate, relevant information with the individuals and families they serve.
This initiative is made possible through a strong partnership with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and grant funding that supports continued education and outreach. The Immigration Services team looks forward to continuing these efforts and providing additional opportunities for staff and clients to learn, ask questions, and access important information. Moving forward, the session will be adapted and presented to impacted New American communities.
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Maternal Health: Supporting Women Through Every Stage of Motherhood
During the third quarter of the year, the Maternal Health program supported 14 women before, during, and/or after childbirth, providing guidance and assistance tailored to their individual needs throughout their maternal health journeys. Through ongoing support, the program helps New American families navigate the challenges of pregnancy, prepare for childbirth, and adjust to the postpartum period while promoting the health and well-being of both birthing individuals and their babies.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, 16 clients are already scheduled to give birth, reflecting the continued need for maternal health support and services in our community. As these families approach delivery, the program remains committed to providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and individualized assistance to help them feel informed, prepared, and supported during this important life transition.
By maintaining consistent engagement throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, the Maternal Health Program strives to connect New American families with appropriate resources, encourage positive maternal health outcomes, and strengthen family systems as they welcome their new babies. We look forward to continuing to support our clients and their families during this meaningful chapter of their lives.
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2026 School-Based Dialogue Launch
The start of school means the launch of school-based dialogue! This year we are working with 20 schools across seven school districts, including elementary school, middle school & high schools.
Most of the participating schools are in a "school exchange" - we partner a Syracuse city school with a suburban or rural school, with roughly 20 students per school. They visit each school, get to know one another, and have brave conversations about identity and stereotypes.
In its 25th year, the school-based dialogue helps students build new relationships across school boundaries and within their own schools, and learn the valuable tool of dialogue.
We also train educators and high school students to facilitate these dialogues. When asked how facilitator training impacts other areas of their lives, one educator said it helps them be “a better part of the community!” One student said it would help “prepare me to be a team lead on a job!”
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Clergy Parking Passes
Calling all clergy and chaplains! Did you know that for as little as $50, those serving as chaplains and clergy can park free of charge for a year at Syracuse hospitals while visiting congregants?
If you're interested, please see InterFaith Works’ Clergy Parking Pass portal for more information and to apply!
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Senior Companion Program 40th Celebration
This year we celebrated our 40th year as the Senior Companion Program at IFW. We also celebrated all of our wonderful volunteers for all of the hard work they completed over the last year. We had a theme of “We Can Do It!” and Rosie the Riveter. We ate and we enjoyed each other's company while recognizing them for completing nearly 60,000 hours of service work for lonely, homebound older adults in our community. It was a great event, as always, and we are lucky to have so many amazing Senior Companions to recognize each year.
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Hamilton College Students
The One-to-One Program partnered with Hamilton College students last month to host a community event for residents of The Bernardine, a Loretto senior living community. The event included bingo and chair volleyball and created an opportunity for joy and connection between the residents and college students.
Do you have an hour a week to spark a connection? The One-to-One program is looking for volunteers to meet once a week with a resident in a care facility. Volunteers and their paired resident sit for chats, go for walks, do arts and crafts, and more.
Email OnetoOne@ifwcny.org or call 315-449-3552 x297 to learn more about the One-to-One Program and register for a new volunteer orientation!
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Benefits Enrollment Center
With Medicare Open Enrollment running October 15 through December 7, 2026, now is the perfect time to make sure you have the coverage you need and aren’t missing out on benefits that could save you money! Choosing the right Medicare plan or figuring out how to afford healthcare, prescriptions, and other everyday essentials can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
The Center for Healthy Aging offers two programs to help!
- Our Neighborhood Advisor can connect Onondaga County residents age 60 and older with a Medicare counselor to explore plan options and find the coverage that best fits your needs.
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Through our Benefits Enrollment Center, anyone enrolled in Medicare can find out if they qualify for programs that help lower food, healthcare, and prescription drug costs. If eligible, we’ll even meet you where you are to help complete and submit your applications! So far, we’ve helped 77 people submit 139 benefits applications, resulting in over $1 million in annual savings.
Call us at (315) 449-3552 to get connected with either program!
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Rev. Dr. Bruce W. Burns
Rev. Dr. Bruce W. Burns Sr. is a U.S. Air Force veteran, community leader and longtime pastor who has devoted more than four decades to pastoral ministry within the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and New York. His ministry has emphasized youth and young adult engagement, technology in ministry, mentoring at-risk youth, community development, and social justice advocacy. He holds multiple academic degrees in aerospace technologies, psychology, sociology theology, and biblical studies. He’s married and the father of two, and a grandparent of five grandchildren. His passion for service has aligned with the mission with InterFaith Works allows the two to join together for the building of community. He has joined the team as InterFaith Works' new InterFaith Initiatives Manager.
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Dara Kerins
Dara Kerins joined the Community Well-Being Program at InterFaith Works as a Social Care Navigator having moved from his home country of Ireland to Syracuse in January of this year. He has worked in adult guidance counseling, community development, nonprofit governance, and social science research, and is passionate about supporting his clients to improve their overall health and well-being, promoting sustainable, equitable, and inclusive community outcomes here in the U.S.!
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Nadar Shah
Nadar Shah is a Social Care Navigator with InterFaith Works' Community Well-Being Program, where he helps connect Onondaga County residents to housing, food, transportation, and other community resources. He brings experience in crisis response, community needs assessments, and direct support work with diverse populations in Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Nadar holds a master's degree in Crisis and Disaster Management from the University of Portsmouth and has a strong interest in the social determinants of health. He speaks Pashto, English, and Urdu and enjoys supporting individuals and families as they work toward greater stability and well-being. Nadar is proud to call Syracuse home and is excited to serve the Central New York community.
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InterFaith Works values the contributions that interns make towards the success of our programming every semester and we are looking to place interns for the Fall 2026 Semester. If you are interested, please contact Community Engagement Manager Jennie Prouty at JProuty@ifwcny.org
Open Positions
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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 50 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 | interfaithworkscny.org
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