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.