July 13, 2020

As the country moves from Covid-19 response to the recovery phase, IFC is also settling into our new normal. We continue to make modifications to keep our members and residents healthy in the face of the continued pandemic. We’re also planning a sustained response to the other long-term crisis ravaging our communities and country – racism.

IFC is Taking Action

Fighting racism at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP rally on June 6th.

While communities across the country continue to grapple with the murders of Black people at the hands of the police, IFC affirms that Black Lives Matter and is taking action. Several staff joined the Chapel Hill Day of Action rally June 3rd at McCorkle Place. Click here to watch a brief video where three staff explain why they attended. IFC members, staff and board members also marched at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP Youth Council Social Justice Rally on June 6th. IFC will continue to be part of local conversations around police reform that include re-envisioning how our community approaches societal issues.

As the COVID-19 response evolves into recovery, we know that structural inequities in housing, food systems, healthcare, education, and the criminal justice system mean that hardships will remain the norm for our neighbors of color. We must maintain focus on changing these systems that oppress people through involvement in policy making and voter turnout at the polls. To that end, Activate! IFC has been busy getting folks involved, informed, and registered to vote. Members of our A-Team are doing regular outreach at our temporary hotel shelter and at Community Kitchen to activate members and residents. Click here to view our short and impactful “Why We Vote” video, hot off the press!

Community Keeps Us Going

Mr. Black NC made a surprise visit with face masks that he delivered to IFC Community Services Manager, Gricelidy.

Thank you for the outpouring of support, which enables us to continue providing food and shelter to our neighbors.

• For those who are able to volunteer, you have donned your face masks and gloves, delivered bags of food, moved boxes, answered the phone and so much more — even when the elevator and air conditioner were out of service! That has required flexibility, a can-do spirit, and a lot of teamwork. We couldn’t do this without you!
• When we come together as a community for the collective good, we all benefit. This has never been clearer than in the response to our call for face masks. Mostly in bags of 10 hand sewn masks at a time, we are refilling our supply of all sizes. Thank you for sewing and getting out the word on your neighborhood listserves and in your communities.
• June marked the development of a downloadable grocery wish list of items needed by the Community Kitchen and Food Pantry, which can be shared with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and faith partners interested in making a difference. We continue to accept food donations (from your gardens too!) weekdays at 100 W. Rosemary Street.
• The response to our online wish list has been fantastic. We love receiving boxes that sound like dried macaroni noodles when shaken! Thank you for continuing to support us from the safety of your home. We’ve updated our list with some new items, which can be ordered from any online retailer with delivery to us at 100 W. Rosemary Street on weekdays.
• If you would like to make a monetary gift, we invite donations of any size. One-time or recurring gifts can be made securely online or by mail to 100 W. Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill. If you’re considering a gift of stock or a legacy or estate gift, please email Jennifer Gill, development and communications director.
• Another way you can support IFC is to share our posts and follow IFC on our social media pages for more frequent connection with our community.

As the fallout from the pandemic continues, the hardest times may be yet to come. Thank you for being part of a community that cares for each other!

IFC Welcomes New Shelter and Housing Director

Jessica Aldavé was born in Nash County and has lived in Durham for the past 6 years. She completed her undergraduate studies in Sociology at UNC Greensboro and received a Masters of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. Jessica has worked in social services for more than 12 years, including managing domestic violence and sexual assault shelters in the Greensboro area and serving in a number of roles at Urban Ministries of Durham.

Jessica says she’s excited to be coming aboard, and she shares this about herself: “On a more personal level, last month my 10-year-old white boxer pit Sugarcookie passed away, and this opportunity to work at IFC has helped me have something to look forward to. I love to read, watch a good movie, and spend time with my fiancé and step children. I also enjoy boxing and find it therapeutic. Helping those in need has been a passion of mine since I can remember. As the Great Dalai Lama said, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”

Please join us in welcoming Jessica to our IFC community! Her first day with IFC will be July 27th.

View from 110 West Main

110 W. Main Street on July 8, 2020

The pandemic hasn’t stopped our construction crew! June progress on our new building in Carrboro began with the steel frame 100% complete and ended with the entire building sheathed with rigid insulation.

On the inside, plumbers, electricians and mechanical contractors have been busy. Temporary power is in place to keep the job site well-lit and to power a wide variety of tools. The duct work that will bring us cool air next summer and warm air this winter is in place too. Stay tuned! Next month we’ll be ready to share pictures from the inside looking out.