History
- 1979
- Interfaith Outreach begins as outreach project of 9 local churches.
- Home Visit and Rides programs launched.
- 1981
- Geographic service area defined.
- Emergency services (food, clothing, financial assistance) begin.
- 1983
- Thanksgiving and Christmas Adopt-a-Family programs launched.
- 1986
- Organization restructured to grow capacity through cross-sector partnership.
- Name changed to Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners.
- 1989
- 200 tons of brick moved from St. Bartholomew’s to what would become 110 Grand Ave., home to IOCP.
- 1993
- IOCP fundraising office created.
- Samaritan Center makes mental health consultation and services available on-site at IOCP.
- 1994
- St. Mary’s Neighborhood Clinic opened 2nd suburban site at IOCP.
- IOCP Housing Committee formed.
- Staff expanded to accommodate new service opportunities and increase volunteer opportunities.
- 1995
- CONECT (Community Organizations Networking Compassionately Together) organized to serve families living in Plymouth apartment neighborhoods.
- “Shoe Bob” Fisher launched the Sleep Out, which grew to become IOCP’s annual housing campaign.
- Home built by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities.
- 1996
- John and Nancy Berg create IOCP Housing Endowment Fund to build capacity for pursuing long-term housing solutions.
- IOCP recruits housing coordinator.
- 1997
- IOCP convenes community leaders for the Vision for the Village, a plan to dismantle key barriers to self-sufficiency.
- Park Nicollet and St. Mary’s Clinics partner to expand capacity of free clinic and move clinic to Wayzata Medical Building.
- 1998
- CONECT launches Camp CONECT.
- 2000
- West Metro Faith Communities in Action legislative advocacy group formed.
- 2001–2008
- IOCP launches strategic staffing, program upgrades, and partnerships to address heightened need, leverage resources to create long-term solutions, and position the organization for a strong future.
- Literacy Project helps children improve literacy skills.
- Adopt-a-Neighborhood engages volunteers from area churches and community groups in service to CONECT neighborhoods.
- Caring for Kids Initiative makes early childhood care, education, and parental support accessible to low-income families.
- Family Car Initiative provides access to used cars to families who need a car to find or keep a job.
- Employment Services helps adults find and upgrade employment.
- Housing Development partnerships create 54 new affordable housing units in Plymouth and Wayzata.
- Together for Good, a $15-million campaign, launched to sustain IOCP for the future.
- 2009
- IOCP celebrates 30 years of service.
- 2010
- Building for Good $5.5 million capital campaign for a new family and children’s service center in Plymouth.
- 2011
- IOCP moves into 40,000-square-foot facility in Plymouth, marking a new era of expanded community engagement and capacity building. On-site partners include Hennepin County, Wayzata Community Education, Peppermint Fence West, and Fathers and Families Network. An expanded food shelf and new resale shop open within the facility.
