Interfaith Works

Interfaith Works (IW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, essential needs, and employment programs to over 35,000 residents of Montgomery County, MD, every year. IW was founded in 1972 by local faith communities who saw Montgomery County residents in need and felt collaborative action was the best way to help them. Initially launched as Community Ministry of Montgomery County, Interfaith Works began as a coordinating body to help the congregation members provide temporary shelter that circulated to various locations around the county, including basements and meeting halls, supported by faithful volunteers who donated meals. Over time, with the support of Montgomery County, we opened the first dedicated womens emergency shelter.

Interfaith Works is not a religious organization, but we remain grounded in the ethos that launched our organization - a collective commitment to ensuring that all our neighbors have an opportunity to find stability and thrive. Our clients are Montgomery County residents. Many of them are or live at risk of experiencing homelessness and earn less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. Since our inception, our programs have grown and adapted to meet the needs of our neighbors as we walk alongside them on their individual path to stability. Our evolution as an organization has reflected and continues to reflect the needs of our community members. Over the past half-century, we have gained insight into how we can best carry out our mission and we have redefined our approach to pursuing this mission.

Volunteers, both adults and students, will work with our staff to provide a positive experience to clients utilizing our services. Specific tasks and volunteer projects vary from program site. At the Interfaith Works Essential Needs Center, volunteers will sort and organize donated clothing and household items, food items and support clients as they shop for items as needed. Volunteers interested in our women's shelter, overflow shelters, and permanent supportive homes can prepare cooked meals for our residents.Volunteers interested in helping at the main office would be asked to assist with a shredding and scanning project. More details given upon request.

We would be happy to have you volunteer at the Interfaith Works Clothing Center located at the IW Essential Needs Center. The Interfaith Works Clothing Center (IWCC) distributes donated items free of charge to IWCC clients so they can pay for rent, food, and other expenses. Thousands of individuals, businesses, schools, camps, service organizations and congregations donate time and goods, which make our program possible. We are proud to provide the link between people in our community who have things they no longer need or want with the people in the community who are in desperate need of the same items.

In order to continue to maintain a safe experience for all of our customers and volunteers, all shopping and volunteer service will be by appointment only. More information about signing up to shop or volunteer is below, along with information about donating to the Interfaith Works Clothing Center.

Volunteers:

• New volunteers are required to attend a 15 min orientation on their first day of volunteering and are welcome to stay after and begin volunteering.
• All Volunteering is by appointment only. New volunteersmust complete orientation before they are eligible to volunteer at the Interfaith Works Clothing Center
• We require that volunteers be at least 14 years old. All volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent signature to start their hours. A parents signature can be provided on our online form or in person.

• • Signup for orientation here
  • Signup to volunteer here