Orange County non-profit aims to better the community

COMMUNITY NEWS

By Tyria Bourda
Correspondent

CHAPEL HILL/ORANGE COUNTY–Across Orange County, numerous residents are grappling with challenging life situations that many cannot comprehend. With only a limited number of domestic abuse shelters available in the area, countless individuals are left to endure their struggles in silence, facing economic repercussions and enduring loss, often without any explanation or means of support.

As of August 2023, a significant reduction in federal funding has led to substantial staff layoffs and the discontinuation of programs at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center (OCRCC) in Chapel Hill. “Our local rape crisis center is currently experiencing a serious financial deficit due to a decline in federal funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) over the past three years, which continues to diminish,” stated Anna Lynch, a Board Member of the OCRCC.

Fortunately, the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) (beginning its seventh decade of service) operates as a non-profit organization providing safety and shelter for both men and women in Orange County. With a dedicated network of 6,000 residents, members, volunteers, and donors, the IFC is committed to addressing the root causes of poverty and responding to its impacts within the community.

To get a better glimpse of the IFC’s role in Orange County, Development and Communications Manager Stephani Kilpatrick shared with TLR, “ With interest in anti-poverty work, I first joined IFC in 2002 as a social work intern. After graduating, I volunteered at IFC while employed at another area nonprofit. I began working at IFC as an employee in 2009 and I’ve appreciated the growth of IFC and myself personally over the years,  continuously deepening our understanding of poverty and all the systemic factors that are at play, as well as our individual roles in the system,” said Kilpatrick.

Since IFC’s plan is for a better community, providing affordable housing is one of the organization’s top priorities. IFC newsletter contributors Jessica Aldavé and Linda Ellison shared via the newsletter that when addressing affordable housing, the first immediate need is to provide physical space and resources for obtaining shelter.

“We take seriously our responsibility to maintain safe, hygienic, dignified facilities. Many people start their journey by dropping into IFC’s Community Navigation for a tent or blanket and to find out how to access shelter,” stated Aldavé and Ellison. “The next layer is having empathetic, knowledgeable staff, many of whom have lived, experienced, and understand the complexities of homelessness.”

IFC newsletter contributor Kristin Lavergne shared that hundreds of people arrive at IFC each week, all with different life experiences and roles to play. She writes, “78% of rental households in Chapel Hill are cost-burdened, which means that renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs and can’t meet all their needs for food, clothing, medication, and other necessities.” Those who teach at our schools, nurse us back to health at the hospital, stock the shelves at our grocery stores, and make cappuccinos at our favorite cafes cannot cover their basic living expenses” stated Lavergne. “Imagine if people had housing that matched their means; imagine that they could manage their household’s daily needs without our programs. In this new reality, IFC focuses on being a hub for community building, creativity, and social change.”

Lavergne added that IFC plans to create more housing opportunities, preserve naturally occurring affordable housing by making sure funding is available for maintenance and repairs, and provide a true living wage for everyone so our neighbors can provide for their families.

Granted, Orange County is no small community, which means funding and partnerships are vital. IFC’s staff work alongside more than 150 volunteers from local faith communities, schools, and businesses to fulfill daily operations. Food partners include UNC-Chapel Hill dining services, Farmer Foodshare, State Employees Credit Union, PORCH, TABLE, churches, restaurants, and grocery stores. IFC’s funding comes through Orange County, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, and the United States Housing and Urban Development. However, private philanthropy also plays a crucial role in IFC’s operating budget.

A local church in Chapel Hill aims to provide a structured program for rent and utility assistance by partnering with local churches. Pastoral Care Associate Mary Ellen McGuire shared with TLR that the church believes that helping those struggling financially in the community is imperative.

“People know that Jesus helped the poor, and often the church is the first place they turn to for help. We believe it is important to assist parishioners and non-parishioners alike,” stated McGuire. “Providing help with a bill and providing a caring ear go a long way in showing solidarity with those who are going through a difficult time.”

Having a dedication to meeting the needs of our community, IFC’s newsletter states that one strategic goal is to navigate community resources. One of those resources includes the aforementioned Orange County Rape Crisis Center. “If we encounter an individual dealing with sexual assault, we connect the individual with the Orange County Rape Crisis Center,” said Kilpatrick. “Even though IFC does not provide any direct clinical services, the organization connects the individual with the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.”

As the nonprofit turns 60, Kilpatrick shared sentiments on IFC’s plans moving forward: “As we begin our seventh decade of partnership with our community, we reflect on the seven women who came together back in 1963 to form IFC to confront poverty and injustice in our Community. We are determined to continue being here to meet our community’s needs”.

Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work also appears in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. With a bachelor’s in journalism & mass communication from North Carolina A&T State University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail and Vice President Kamala Harris.
This reporter can be reached at Info@TheLocalReporter.press