INTERFAITH services

Programs are Adjusting to Better Meet Your Needs
Interfaith Outreach Case Management and Employment Services programs will look different beginning in March. These changes will allow us to provide you with more specialized support to more effectively meet your immediate needs and help you achieve your goals.

Case Management staff have reorganized into smaller teams that will focus on specific areas, including:

• Welcoming new clients
• Housing resources
• Short- and long-term case management
• Emergency financial assistance

Employment Services staff have re-organized their work into:

• Easy-to-access job search assistance, digital literacy training & other skill-building opportunities
• Coaching to find a job within 5 months that meets a families’ financial needs
• Access to employment training opportunities that will increase earning potential

What this means for you:

• You will no longer need to have an assigned case manager to access emergency services (ex: emergency financial assistance).
• Those who access our services will no longer automatically be assigned a case manager. Instead, connecting with staff will be based on your needs and your goals.
• When you are looking for additional support, case management and employment services staff will be able to work more closely with you over time to achieve your goals.

To connect with our services after March 1:
If you HAVE NOT EVER USED our services or it has been MORE THAN 1 YEAR: Email us at clientintake@iocp.org or call 763-489-7500 to get started.

If you HAVE USED our services in the past year and:

Information about holiday and seasonal programs will be here on our website and in our regular client emails.

Front Desk Services

Staff and volunteers are at the front desk to connect briefly (up to 15 minutes). A maximum of 6 guests can be in the lobby at one time and a health screening is required. If the lobby is at capacity when you arrive, you may be asked to wait to maintain social distancing – thank you.

We can help:

• Connect you with a case manager remotely (by phone or email)
• Provide information and resources
• Receive documents and give them to staff on your behalf
• Print, copy and scan important Interfaith-related documents

Our intention is to continue to meet community needs while prioritizing health and safety. If you are sick, please stay home and continue to access services remotely.

Face Masks

Face masks are available for clients to pick up – one per person, please. Ask us in the food shelf or in our lobby during front desk hours.

Food Shelf

To shop in-building, you must make an appointment.

In-Building Shopping

• Households choose what items work best for their families from the food shelf, within a limit determined by their family size. Choices include shelf stable items, produce, dairy, frozen meat, bread and personal items. To shop in the building you must make an appointment – click the button below.

Make an appointment

Drive-up Model

• Households choose a prepacked bag type (standard, vegetarian, halal, gluten free or diabetic-friendly), as well as several options including: 16g milk, cheese, margarine, eggs, produce, bread, frozen meat, frozen vegetables, dish soap, laundry detergent and paper towels – among other items. No appointment necessary for drive-up option!

Rent Assistance

If you or someone you know has lost income due to COVID-19…

In addition to our emergency financial assistance program, we are now partnering with the city of Plymouth, Hennepin County and the state of Minnesota to make available additional rental assistance for those who have lost income due to COVID-19. If you have lost income due to COVID-19 and are struggling to pay rent you may be eligible. Please reach out by calling 763-489-7500 or emailing clientintake@iocp.org. This COVID-related rent support is available to renters in Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, West Plymouth, Wayzata and Maple Plain, Loretto and Independence.

Employment Services

Employment Services staff are here to support you!

Interfaith Outreach Employment Services professionals are available to assist you remotely during this uncertain time. We are researching job & training opportunities and can provide individualized coaching on resume writing/editing, interview preparation and job search strategies. Additionally, we can help you locate eligibility information and frequently asked questions relating to state unemployment benefits.

Get connected with an Employment Services Professional by emailing employmentservices@iocp.org.

Technology Assistance

Are you in need of a laptop or affordable internet to support your job search or employment training goals? Would you like to improve your computer skills with FREE 1:1 tutoring? We might be able to help. Call us at 763-489-7504 or email EmploymentServices@iocp.org and request an appointment with an Employment Services staff person to discuss your technology needs.

Funding for technology and internet assistance is limited, contact us soon!

Job Search Computer Lab

Open Lab

Interfaith’s Job Search & Computer Lab is open Tuesdays from 2-6 p.m. One-hour appointments can be made by contacting Employment Services staff at EmploymentServices@iocp.org, or calling Interfaith’s main number, 763-489-7500.

Individual Computer Skills Tutoring

Individual instruction is available on Thursdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Appointments can be made by emailing EmploymentServices@iocp.org or calling Joe Ramlet, CTEP AmeriCorps Member, at 763-489-7504.

Individual tutors can help you build skills in:

• Basic Computer Skills
• Internet Basics
• Email Basics
• Windows OS
• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Typing

About 1:1 computer skills appointments:

Appointments can range from 15 minutes to ask a quick question to weekly sessions to learn a new program. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional computer access: The Plymouth and Wayzata libraries also have drop-in computer access. To ensure a computer is available at the time of need, appointments are recommended. Learn more and make a reservation.

Employment Resources

Employment Landscape

COVID-19 has significantly shifted the labor market. To stay up-to-date on recent labor market trends, we recommend looking at the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) website as well as insights from RealTime Talent. You can also find top jobs in demand through CareerForce.

Job Search Booklet

Interfaith Outreach Employment Services, along with other West Metro partners, has created a resource guide for all things related to obtaining a job! From searching for a position online to honing your interview skills, this guide has it all. View, download or print this document here. To receive a printed copy, please contact Employment Services at employmentservices@iocp.org.

Quick Start Videos

Looking for tips on starting a job search? Updating your resume? Practicing for an interview? Check out our quick start videos to learn more about these topics:

• Job Search Strategies
• Interviewing
• Resume

Free Employment Trainings Available During COVID-19

The pandemic has impacted our lives in many ways, including opportunities to earn a living. For those needing to find a new job or career, consider attending a free, short-term training to learn new marketable skills. Need help deciding the best next step for you? Contact us at employmentservices@iocp.org.

Kids
Child care support and resources through Caring for Kids

For information and support related to childcare and early childhood development, please feel free to reach out to Caring for Kids Case Manager, Debi Fink, at 763-489-7721 or dfink@iocp.org.

Child Care with ELearning Support
In-person, full day distance learning combined with supplemental activities for K-5 students.

• 2, 3, 4 and 5 day/week options vary by program provider
• Providers: Wayzata Kids (open only to children of Tier 1 essential workers), Ridgedale YMCA, STEM Builders of Plymouth, Urban Air, Mini-Hops, New Horizons, KinderCare, Yellow Brick Road
• Offered through a return to fully in-person school or the end of the school year
• Outdoor Learning at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi (for K-8)

To sign up, contact Olumide at OAje@iocp.org or 612-231-8235.

Academic Support
One on One academic support from a qualified tutor providing individualized support in reading, writing or math for K-5 students.

• Providers: Qualified teachers from the Wayzata or Orono School District, STEM Builders of Plymouth, Mathnasium Minnetonka

To sign up contact Andrea at AMacarthur@iocp.org or 612-437-2233.

Eligibility

• Students attending Orono or Wayzata Public Schools
• Free and reduced lunch eligibility or COVID-induced financial hardship
• Students whose school math, reading or writing recovery intervention was cut short last school year due to the pandemic

Neighborhoods

The Neighborhood Program provides services to families living in the Plymouth and Medina neighborhoods listed below. Our focus is connecting families with community resources; assisting residents to build healthy neighborhoods; and supporting youth.

• Currents
• Kimberly Meadows
• Lakeview Commons
• Medina Townhomes
• Plymouth Colony
• Shenandoah Woods
• Stone Creek
• Vicksburg Commons
• Willow Wood Estates

Neighborhood Program staff are not on-site but can be reached by calling their direct lines or email.

Birthday Shelf

Families with children turning 1-18 years old are welcome to once again visit the Interfaith Outreach Birthday Shelf during our curbside hours. Staff and volunteers will provide a list of pre-packed birthday presents that will include toys, tie blankets, cake mix, frosting, etc. for children/parents to choose from. Please make sure to bring a photo ID to present to Interfaith curbside staff during your visit. Families are welcome to visit within a month of a child’s birthday.

Baby Layette

The Interfaith Outreach Baby Layette program has resumed operations. If you would like to receive a layette please contact your case manager.

Rides Program

Please note our Rides Program is currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. We will provide updates here when this program is reactivated.