Information

Here at Interfaith Community PADS, we provide warm meals and a safe place to stay each night for homeless guests in Michigan City and LaPorte County. This is important work and we are honored to do it.

But there is more to it than that, which is what we want to discuss today.

Most people are familiar with our work in providing meals and shelter–vital work that offers temporary solutions for homeless guests in need. What many people don’t understand is that we are also involved in helping our homeless guests find permanent solutions so they get the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

This is an organized process called coordinated access.

Since spring is the time of growth and renewal, we thought now would be a wonderful time to explain more about coordinated access in our community and ICPADS role in it. Answers come from an interview with our Director, Harrison Holtkamp. As you will come to understand after reading this article, coordinated access is the joint effort of many local agencies that give our homeless guests the chance to start again.

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Spring is around the corner, and, love it or hate it, that means it’s time for the annual tradition of spring cleaning. According to Wikipedia, spring cleaning is “the practice of thoroughly cleaning a house in the springtime,” a practice which is “especially prevalent in climates with a cold winter.” Yup, that certainly includes northern …

5 Spring Cleaning Tips + Our Most-Used Cleaning Supplies! Read More »

Did you know that February is National Canned Food Month? It’s true! In fact, this obscure observance has been around since 1987, when the Canned Food Information Council established the holiday to break down myths that were swirling about canned foods. Here at Interfaith Community PADS, canned goods are a staple that allow us to …

Celebrating Canned Food Month + Our Top 5 Canned Goods! Read More »

It’s February, and love is in the air! This year, we encourage you to expand your expression of love beyond your spouse and family to your entire community. Why? Because Michigan City and La Porte County are pretty special! Our area is filled with amazing people, great businesses, worthy causes, and rich history. As individuals, …

14 Ways to Show Our Community Love Read More »

Did you know that Interfaith Community PADS got a new board President in December 2021? Her name is Jessica Hoffmaster, and she has been a dedicated board member and volunteer for three years. We’d love for you to get to meet her, so recently we spoke to Jessica about her experiences with the ICPADS organization …

Board President Jessica Hoffmaster Shares Goals and Priorities for 2022 Read More »

In the past couple months, we have gotten some incredible donations to support our homeless shelter, from community members like you. You may have seen some of our posts about these donations on our Facebook page. So maybe you are wondering – how can I organize a donation drive in my business, workplace, or organization? …

How to Organize a Donation Drive Read More »

The New Year is a special time of hope and optimism. We celebrate surviving another 365 days in this crazy, chaotic world, and we look forward to a better future.  It is estimated that 164 million US adults make New Year’s resolutions each year (about 64.6 percent of the population). They resolve to do things …

3 New Year’s Wishes for Our Community Read More »

As you probably know, Interfaith Community Pads is running a Holiday Giving Campaign right now, through the end of December. Our fundraiser will support our operations through the winter months, including heat, utilities, staffing, food, and supplies.  Why is this fundraiser so important to our community? And why should you contribute? Today we would like …

7 Reasons to Give This Holiday Season Read More »