Integrated Family Community Services

Thank you to the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for coordinating their annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday. IFCS received tons of food that was collected in the community and transported back to The Market@IFCS. Thank you to Ken Barber at the Englewood Branch and Kathy Nyhoff at the Centennial Branch who made this possible. We appreciate the loyal volunteers and staff that made this donation drive a success. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday of May each year or next year's event on May 10, 2025.

Our Ready, Set, School! registration closes Monday, May 13, 2024 at 10:00 am. This program matches registered students with a sponsor who provides a backpack, grade-appropriate school supplies, and a supply of groceries and snacks to start off the school year. Those with child(ren) entering Kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2024-25 school year, who meet the eligibility criteria, but have not yet completed the Ready, Set, School! Interest Form, may do so at https://rb.gy/76ypy0

Thanks to all who have purchased Official IFCS Merch from our Bonfire IFCS Shop at https://lnkd.in/gM6NE5UZ. To date, 36 items have been purchased with a portion of each purchase benefiting IFCS! Of course, wearing IFCS merch in your daily lives is *priceless* and we appreciate you expanding our ever-growing partnerships in the community!

We are proud of a long-time IFCS supporter and volunteer who was featured today on Denver's Fox 31 and Channel 2's Great Day Colorado Do-Gooder Award Segment. We had the opportunity to nominate Brian Dee Counterman, LUTCF for his tireless efforts to make a difference year-round. Despite many setbacks and ailments, Brian has taken on his mission to serve the community. Brian and his Jazz Hands Foundation Band continue to play at no cost at our Nibbles and Sips event and has rallied many professional and social groups around IFCS to help raise valuable funds for The Market@ IFCS hunger alleviation programs. You may know Brian and recognize the eye patch and are aware that he is legally blind with severe back impairments. Well, he had major eye surgery a few days after he played the February Nibble and Sips event and now can approach the world differently with a new prosthetic eye. Be sure to give Brian a wink of gratitude for all he has done and continues to do for our neighbors in need. https://lnkd.in/gg6yRYuZ - Great Day Colorado Do-Gooder Clip

IFCS has the great honor of being nominated for Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Business Achievement Award! Help us win this award in our 60th year by casting your vote before May 2 at https://rb.gy/6j7267

We're excited to introduce you to our new program director, Miriam! A little about Miriam: Miriam was born in Mexico and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a first-generation immigrant, she found passion in being an advocate for her community. For over a decade now, she has established a career in the nonprofit sector that serves, advocates, and empowers the immigrant community. Miriam loves being helpful, and is passionate about building collaborative teams, and motivating each person to contribute their strengths and grow in new areas (even when it's scary). She moved to Colorado three years ago with her spouse, Laura, and dog, Jerry (lab mix). Her hobbies include dancing, hiking, traveling, and cooking home meals. You will always see her drinking tea and striking up a conversation.

We have a new blog post by Kathryn Adams, our volunteer writer. Enjoy this gratifying read: https://lnkd.in/gBUTeNED In February, Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS) marked a significant milestone. Celebrating their 60th year, IFCS has provided vital support to those in need through its food pantry and assistance programs since 1964. Made extra special by the occasion, the annual fundraiser Nibbles & Sips exceeded all expectations, and united the community in the spirit of generosity and compassion. Don’t miss the brief video recapping the evening, below! This year was the most successful fundraiser to date, surpassing the donation goal and allowing IFCS to keep programs going strong for the coming year. The success of the event was made possible by the unwavering support of corporate sponsors and individuals who recognize the importance of IFCS’ mission in providing essential resources to individuals and families facing hardship. READ MORE AT: https://lnkd.in/gBUTeNED

We were grateful to have high school student Valeria Miranda helping us out in the Market @ IFCS during her spring break. Valeria learned about IFCS as a child, when her family received school supply support through IFCS’ Ready, Set, School! program. Now, she is giving back to the community as a #volunteer and, especially with her #bilingual skills, she was a great support to our program participants. Thank you Valeria!   🎒Save the Date: Our 2024 Ready, Set, School! program is gearing up for the 2024-25 school year - apply at https://rb.gy/76ypy0 beginning April 29, 2024. #schoolsupplysupport 😎Wanted: Bilingual Students interested in a Paid Summer Internship - apply by April 15, 2024 at https://rb.gy/4nmvfx #paidsummerinternship #studentjobs

IFCS is offering a summer part-time paid student internship! Will you share this with your networks to help us find stellar candidates for this position? Thank you for your help! We welcome applications from high school or undergraduate students that are fluent in Spanish and enthusiastic about serving the immigrant community and people experiencing poverty. This internship provides the opportunity to learn about IFCS’ hunger alleviation, financial assistance, and wellness programs. Interns will be expected to work 12 – 15 hours a week, in-person, during IFCS market hours. The stipend is $3,000. Deadline to apply is April 15, 2024. Details and online application at: https://rb.gy/4nmvfx #summerinternship #paidinternship #service #studentjobs #bilingualstudent

As part of our 60th Anniversary Celebration, we are announcing our new IFCS Shop at Bonfire! Now, you can get official merch at https://lnkd.in/gestaeHi and a portion of your purchase will support IFCS' hunger alleviation campaign. Go ahead and wear your IFCS support "on your sleeve" and invite others to join you. Shirts, hoodies, tote bags, caps, mugs... and lots of fabric colors to choose from. Check out our variety of designs to celebrate 60 years of partnering with the community to alleviate hunger!