4 decades of service

Interfaith Mission marks 40 years

By Mike Dawson

Interfaith Mission Executive Director Matt Hall remembers the day, years ago, that he sat in his office talking to a woman who had been a victim of domestic violence. His organization helps people like her get back on their feet, with services such as rental assistance and furniture.

Hall said the woman’s partner went to jail for abusing her but was released without her knowing. One night, he followed her home and abused her.

The woman cried as she told Hall what happened.

“She said, ‘The last couple nights I slept up against the door so no one else could get in,’ ” Hall said. “It’s the type of client you say, ‘How much do you need and when do you need it?’ ”

That woman is one of thousands of people in Centre County who’ve been helped since Interfaith Mission was founded in 1969.

On Friday, the organization will mark its 40th anniversary with an open house.

Interfaith Mission helps low-income residents of Centre County in four areas, Hall said, three of which are financial-based: Clients aren’t given money directly, but they’re offered help paying rent, security deposits, utility bills, and other basic needs. Interfaith also administers the Centre County fuel bank and helps deliver fuel to heat homes. And it offers money management help for people to learn to live within their budgets.

It also recycles furniture, collecting gently used furniture or working appliances to give to those who meet its income guidelines.

It’s come a long way since 1969, when the organization was founded as the Christian Mission. It changed its name to Interfaith Mission in 1983.

Dot Wiggins, of State College, was one of the founding members and was a representative from what is now University Baptist and Brethren Church. She said Christian Mission evolved from the State College Council of Churches as an effort to continue an interdenominational mission of service.

“They tried to look for needs that weren’t being served, and do them ecumenically,” Wiggins said. “The money came from the churches pooling their money.”

Among the first services was an emergency fund.

Another program was an answering service for people to call when they needed someone to talk to. It wasn’t long, Wiggins said, before it was used for Alcoholics Anonymous.

And it offered an afterschool center, hiring a teacher to oversee afterschool activities at Easterly Parkway Elementary School until parents could pick up their children.

“When this started, there weren’t a lot of these services,” said Wiggins, who served the mission during its early years in roles that include president and treasurer.

Now, the organization flourishes with 22 member congregations. Starting July 1, it will administer the state-funded Rental Assistance Program throughout Centre County.

In the past four years, it’s paid $517,000 in financial assistance, given away 5,600 pieces of furniture and appliances, and helped 2,100 households in Centre County.

“I never envisioned what it is today,” Wiggins said.

IF YOU GO

What: Open house at Interfaith Mission, 2100C E. College Ave., State College

Why: To celebrate 40 years of service. Free food, a visit from Ike the Spike and some members of the State College Spikes, tours of Interfaith’s new offices and furniture warehouse, drawings and more will be offered.

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Information: Interfaith Mission Inc. or 234-7731