About
Who We Are
Interfaith Works is a non-profit, social justice coalition of over 30 diverse faith-based communities and affiliated organizations working together to serve the community through charitable, social, and educational endeavors.
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Our two primary areas of focus are Interfaith Relations and Homeless Services. Homeless Services exists to serve the immediate and long-term needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness in Thurston County, while Interfaith Relations foster meaningful connections, encounters, and collaboration within our interfaith network.
We do not promote, advance, or engage in religious messaging or recruitment with any of our services. Interfaith Works will not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, race, physical ability, religion or religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to actively participate in a religious practice.
Our Mission
Social justice and peace through interfaith understanding and cooperation.
Our Roots Run Deep
Stories From Our Founding Members
In celebration of Interfaith Works' 50th Anniversary, we collected stories from those who helped make this organization what it is today. These excerpts provide a glimpse of Interfaith Works as seen through the eyes and hearts of those moved by the efforts of IW.
History of Interfaith Works
Interfaith Works holds a unique position in the community as both a 50 year old institution and a fierce advocate of centering the human dignity of all in our community. This position has helped us lead our peer providers, partners, and community, to engage in the issues of poverty, stigma, and systemic marginalization and expand the concept of what it means to care for each other as a community.
Goals and Impact
2021-2022 Impact Report
Interfaith Works holds a unique position in the community as both a 50-year-old institution and a fierce advocate of centering the human dignity of all. This position has helped us lead our peer providers, partners, and community to engage in the issues of poverty, stigma, and systemic marginalization and expand the concept of what it means to care for each other as a community.
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Featured Videos
View our impact report with links to access our featured videos. âžž
2021-2022 Strategic Plan
In 2021, with the move to Unity Commons on the horizon, we crafted a strategic plan to guide our work over the next two years. We knew we needed to plan for the upcoming growth and transitions mindfully and to do it in a way that reflected the deeply held values of our guests, staff, board, and supporters. Our strategic plan has helped us guide our work, reminding us to address the roots of issues, not just the symptoms, and focus on the deep level of personalized service and connection we aim for.
Member Faith Communities
Interfaith Works' membership consists of affiliated faith communities that uphold the duties of ratifying our annual budget and approving prospective board members. These congregations participate in the Program Council through delegate representation.
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The Baha’is of Thurston County
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Center for Spiritual Living – Olympia
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Community for Interfaith Celebration (CIC)
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Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community
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First Christian Church
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First United Methodist Church of Olympia
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Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
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Holy Wisdom Inclusive Catholic Community
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Islamic Center of Olympia
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Lacey Presbyterian Church
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The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd
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Nalanda Institute
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Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
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Olympia Friends Meeting
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Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC)
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Open Gate Zendo
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St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church
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St. Benedict Episcopal Church
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St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church
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St. Michael Catholic Parish
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Temple Beth Hatfiloh
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Tumwater United Methodist Church
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The United Churches of Olympia
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Unity of Olympia
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Westminster Presbyterian Church of Olympia
Affiliated and Supporting Organizations
Affiliated organizations support Interfaith Works by attending Program Council meetings and offering invaluable contributions and perspectives to our work. These vital partners contribute to the breadth and diversity of our community relationships.
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Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
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St. Placid Priory
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​The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Olympia & Lacey Stake
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St. Martin’s Abbey
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League of Women Voters Thurston County
Interested in becoming a member of Interfaith Works?
Reach out for moreinformation about the application process.
Board of Directors
Marcy LaViollette
President
Christa Lenssen
Vice President
Lisa Gosiaco
Past President
Nancy Eastham
Treasurer
Carolyn Cox
Secretary
Sandy Crowell
Steve Reinmuth
Brianne Adams
Deb Tarbert
Mary Wharton
Executive Leadership Team
Interfaith Works has a non-traditional shared Executive Leadership team model that promotes sustainability and continuity for the organization regardless of the individual’s holding specific positions. Our organizational structure is values aligned, radically supportive, and shifts the burden of leadership from an individual point to a shared collaborative body.
Meg Martin (she/her), LICSW
Director of Integrative Services
Ivy Ayers (she/her), MPA
Director of Administration
Ti’eri Lino (she/her), MPA
Director of Homeless Services
Rev. Corey Passons (he/him), MDiv
Director of Interfaith Relations
Staff
We prioritize hiring people who reflect our culture, aspirations and the experiences of our guests. This includes people with diverse spiritual and professional backgrounds to those with lived and living experience with mental health and substance use challenges, homelessness, poverty, and trauma.
