A little about ourselvesInterfaith Community Services currently maintains a program distributing hot, vegetarian meals to homeless people on the streets of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. But if we look closer we see that this is a multilevel program. On the first level, obviously we're addressing a basic, immediate need - simply feeding hungry people.
On another level, the meal distribution program, give us opportunities to meet and refer people to other supportive services like shelters, drug and alcohol rehab, medical care, and counseling. |
On a third level, we're offering young people in this neighborhood opportunities to participate in community service by helping with the meal distribution. Please see the attached pictures. One picture is worth a thousand words.
We are operating under the premise that anyone who volunteers to help do this work will naturally learn, and grow. Service is good for character development. In our past experiences with youth ministries, we noticed that an exclusive focus on providing recreational activities sometimes unintentionally fosters a "gimmie" mentality: "Now what do I get ? Now what else do I get ?". The concept of "What service can I offer ?" is sometimes absent. |
In an attempt to facilitate the emergence of a higher nature, we’re gently shifting the focus from "Gimmie Gimmie" toward: "What can I do to serve the Lord ?" and "How can I help to bring others into the Light of God's Love ?"
We believe that activity in the service of God is natural, and joyful. Anything that fosters an awareness of the fact that: “Each of us has the potential to benefit others opens a door to new, unlimited horizons. Anything that helps nourish a desire for increasing our loving service to God (through loving service to others) has a powerful, uplifting effect on our development as human beings.” |
In addition to feeding homeless people, Interfaith Community Services volunteers maintain a Retreat Guest-rooms Ministry, which supports the production and distribution of religious literature and sponsors various Religious Graphic and Religious Performing Arts projects.
Although the external form of our work may vary - from sports programs to literature distribution, etc., the constant, express purpose of all our endeavors is to inspire others in their faith and in their loving service to God.
Although the external form of our work may vary - from sports programs to literature distribution, etc., the constant, express purpose of all our endeavors is to inspire others in their faith and in their loving service to God.
Recent News
- Private apartment rentals no longer available.
- Our new hostel on 8th Ave. offers affordable visitor accommodation for all!