Inter-Faith Council Receives Cisco Foundation Grant

Chapel Hill, NC. The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Cisco Systems Foundation. The grant will support the on-going services provided by the Crisis Intervention Program.

As one of the IFC’s original programs, Crisis Intervention continues to play a critical role in preventing homelessness and combating the harmful effects of poverty within the Chapel Hill–Carrboro community. Trained IFC volunteers and staff regularly: distribute food, assist with transportation needs, offer emotional support, give information and referrals to other community agencies, and provide small rent/utility grants to those eligible for financial assistance. "In a community such as Chapel Hill-Carrboro, which combines a high cost of living with an increasing low-income population, the services provided by Crisis Intervention are invaluable," said Chris Moran, Executive Director, Inter-Faith Council.

Last fiscal year, Crisis Intervention had over 3,500 requests for services and out of those requests served 2,900 households. Kristin Lavergne, Program Director, IFC Community Services commented, that "what generally surprises people the most is that many of our clients are working and still need our services."

In October 1997, the Cisco Systems Foundation was established to further enable public and private organizations to address the ever-changing needs of a diverse society. Although they are based in San Jose, California, the Cisco Foundation makes grants in communities, such as Research Triangle Park, in which they have a significant business presence--over 600 employees.