Faith Communities

50th Anniversary 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.

Our Roots Run Deep

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.

Listen to the Stories

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2021-2022 Impact Report

In response to our strategic plan and to show our tremendous impact in the community, we are happy to announce our 2021 - 2022 Impact Report. The impact report is rooted in the goals and outcomes of our strategic plan. We nourish the communities we serve through strategic efforts and outcomes so that our community may bloom. We hope this report shows the incredible journey we have been on.

Featured Videos
View our impact report with links to access our featured videos. ➞

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.

Our Mission

Social justice and peace through interfaith understanding and cooperation.

Our Vision

Interfaith Works promotes interfaith understanding and serves the community through charitable, social and educational endeavors.

Our History

Interfaith Works evolved from the Thurston County Council of Churches, which was founded in 1969. The first president of that council was Dr. Paul Ellis, a United Methodist Minister and retired Professor of Seattle University.

A letter dated 1973 shows that Pastor Paul Davidson of Lacey Community Church was one of the first to recommend a new cooperative form of ministry in Thurston County, which could take the lead in stronger ecumenical programming. August 13, 1973, the Council chose 'Associated Ministries of Thurston County' as the name for this new organization. The work of identifying goals and objectives, and of writing new bylaws began soon after, and in March 1974, articles of incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State.

Davidson was the first executive administrator of Associated Ministries of Thurston County, but served less than a year, to be followed by Nancy Hoff, a member of St. Michael Parish. Nancy was Executive Director until 1989. Succeeding Executive Directors were Keturah Brown, 1989 to 1991; Ken Schwilk, 1991 to 1994; Cheri Gonyaw, 1994 to 2000; Kathy Erlandson, 2000 to 2010, and Daniel Kadden, 2010-18. Beginning July 2018, a new shared leadership model was adopted featuring Meg Martin Co-Executive Director for Homeless Services, and Lisa Gosiaco Co-Executive Director for Interfaith Relations. In December of 2019, Lisa Gosiaco resigned, and the position was redesigned to a single Executive Director model, namely, Meg Martin.

As the organization has evolved, there has been a movement back toward a shared leadership model. In January of 2024 Interfaith Works returned to shared executive model with four staff directors. Ivy Ayers, Director of Administration, Ti'eri Lino, Director of Homeless Services, Meg Martin, Director of Integrated Services, and Corey Passons, Director of Interfaith Relations. This shared leadership model is structured to allow greater collaboration and improved sustainability of service in our many areas of community work. The implementation of a shared leadership model represents an ongoing commitment to collaborative outcomes and community based coalition-building.

The first member faith communities of Associated Ministries were Community for Christian Celebration, Evergreen Christian Reformed Church, First Baptist Church of Olympia, First Christian Church, First United Methodist Church of Olympia, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lacey Community Church, The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, St. Andrews United Methodist Church, St. Michael’s Catholic Parish, Tumwater United Methodist Church, The United Churches, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Since then, new members have joined and some have withdrawn, and membership has increased to 30 faith communities. Several organizations participate formally as affiliate members, and other individuals and businesses have joined as supporting members but do not have a role in governance of the organization.

Although Associated Ministries called itself an interfaith organization, its membership remained entirely Christian until 1983, at which time Temple Beth Hatfiloh applied for membership and became the first non-Christian member faith community. Since that time other faith traditions have joined including Buddhist, Baha’i, Unitarian, and Muslim.

On April 20, 2004, the organization officially changed its name to Interfaith Works. Its staff and members strive to be inclusive and inviting to all Faith Communities as well as those not affiliated with any faith, and to find ways to serve the greater community together.

Interfaith Works now has many programs and members, all of whom are dedicated to serving the community.

2024 Board of Directors

Officers
Marcy LaViollette, President
Lisa Gosiaco, Past President
Christa Lenssen, Vice President
Carolyn Cox, Secretary
Nancy Eastham, Treasurer

Directors
Brianne Adams
Mary Wharton
Deb Tarbert
Sandy Crowell
Steve Reinmuth
Robert Dandy