“Don’t thank us; thank the government” we were told when we called to thank a couple for their generous donation to Interfaith Coalition.

The long-time coalition supporters expressed concern over the needs of low-income people in our community and throughout the nation. They’re hopeful the federal economic stimulus payments don’t ultimately shortchange those in our country most in need of human and social services. Acting from their commitment to people in need, they thought of Interfaith Coalition when they received their payment in the mail.

We appreciate their concerns and share their values, and once again say, “Thank you.”

Homeless families will find hope, safety and support while living in a new duplex constructed using sustainable materials and environmentally sound practices, if the vision of Interfaith Coalition and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church comes to fruition.

The project has been approved conceptually by both the Interfaith board of directors and the church membership. Both organizations will work with Opportunity Council, a third partner in the project, to pursue funding for the duplex.

Once funding is secured, construction will begin, with a start date projected to be next summer. The duplex will be a part of the Interfaith Family Housing network, which currently comprises nine units of housing –four transitional units and five short-term units. The duplex will provide transitional housing, where families may live for up to two years, while paying a subsidized rent and working to become self-reliant.

The property on which the duplex will be built is owned by Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and will be leased for at least 40 years by Interfaith Coalition, the lead partner in the project. Opportunity Council, already a housing parner with Interfaith Coalition, will be developer and general contractor; and will provide families with case-management services, which are an integral element of our housing program.

The addition of a duplex to the Interfaith Family Housing network will offer a number of opportunities for community involvement. We will be seeking volunteers for a variety of projects, including decorating and furnishing rooms and landscaping the yard. We also will be seeking in-kind donations for services such as engineering and design.

“This project has the possibility to increase the faith community’s efforts to deal with a serious community problem: young families homeless and in distress,” says Jim Cozad, chair of our Housing Committee and member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. “The three partners have stepped forward with a mission and a vision that shows great promise in assisting those children and families to improve their lives and to get back on track to self-sufficiency and productive lives.”

Interfaith Coalition has received a $3,000 grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation. The grant will help an increasing number of individuals referred from Interfaith Community Health Center to receive mental-health counseling from therapists in the community.

About one-fifth of all patients seen for medical care at the health center also receive mental-health servies either on site or through referrals to the more than two-dozen therapists who participate in the Mental-Health Partnership. Therapists agree to accept client referrals from the health center’s Behavioral-Health Program for payment of $20 per visit — $10 paid by clients, and $10 paid by Interfaith Coalition.

Typically patients are referred to therapy for depression, stress, panic disorders and anxiety, sleep deprivation, chronic pain, anger-management issues, and chemical dependency, any of which can jeopardize jobs and strain personal relationships. In all cases, patients who become clients in the Mental-Health Partnership have low incomes, which makes paying the community rate of $90 per hour for therapy a difficulty.

Since 1998 when the partnership began, the number of referrals has increased every year. Last year, 1,041 health center patients received mental-health counseling, and 116 of those patients were seen in 812 visits through the Mental-Health Partnership. The number of referrals last year was nearly double the referrals in 2006, when 60 patients received care in 609 visits.

Renowned bassoon soloist and Grammy-nominated recording artist Martin Kuuskmann, whose repertoire spans the early Baroque era to jazz and contemporary music, will perform a concert to benefit our Friendly Visitors program on Sunday, April 27, beginning at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham. Admission is $10 at the door. Doors open at 2:15 p.m.

Estonia-born Kuuskmann, a Blaine resident, will perform works by Part, Saint-Saens, Brahms, Massenet, and Gershwin. Performing with Kuuskmann will be mezzo-soprano Betsy Senff and Terhi Miikki-Boersma on organ and piano.

Kuuskmann has performed at venues and festivals worldwide. His solo performances have been broadcast on public radio in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden. A faculty member of Manhattan School of Music, he also performs with the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York and with Absolute Ensemble, whose recordings have received critical acclaim, including a Grammy nomination and the 2000 German Record Critics Award.

A week’s vacation in Jackson Hole with a spectacular view of the Grand Tetons, a three-night getaway to Scottsdale, Ariz., a garden lover’s getaway to Portland, an original oil pastel by Susan Bennerstrom, a golf package at Semhiamoo Resort, a hand-blown glass creation by Christopher Morrison, a $2,000 certificate for use toward purchase of a spa from Barron Heating & Air Conditioning. These just some of the items you’ll have a chance to bid on at our March 29 auction, “Open Hearts, Quiet Minds in the Garden of Hope.”

Our largest fundraising event of the year begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Lakeway Inn, 714 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham. Tickets for the silent and live auctions and dinner cost $40 and are available through our office by calling 360-734-3983.

Proceeds from the event support programs that provide housing to homeless families, access to health care for all in need, and social connection to isolated seniors.

If you wish to make a financial contribution or other donation to the auction, please call our office, 360-734-3983.

Tickets are on sale now for our annual spring auction, to be held this year on Saturday, March 29 at the Lakeway Inn in Bellingham, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per ticket and includes dinner. Tickets may be purchased by calling our office at 734-3983.

“Open Hearts, Quiet Minds in the Garden of Hope” is this year’s theme, reflecting the compassion of Interfaith Coalition supporters and the generosity that flows from their compassion. Through donations of auction items, purchase of tickets, and lively bidding, supporters raise one-third of the coalition’s annual income at this one event. Proceeds benefit programs that provide housing for homeless families, outreach to isolated seniors, and access to health care for all in need.

We gratefully accept financial support for the event, as well as donations of services, products, weekend getaways or vacations, or new items for our silent and live auctions.

Interfaith Coalition’s two severe-weather shelters will be open tonight, Tuesday, January 22, from 5 p.m until 8 a.m. tomorrow. The men’s shelter is located at Faith Lutheran Church, 2750 McLeod Road in Bellingham, and the women’s and children’s shelter is at 1326 North Garden St. in Bellingham. A van from Salt on the Street will make stops from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Lighthouse Mission, Church on the Street and Rainbow Center to offer individuals transportation to the shelters.

The shelters provide warmth and safety to individuals who choose to come in off the streets on nights when severe weather is not only uncomfortable but also may be life-threatening to some. A recorded message at 788-7983 tells callers when the shelters are open.

These short days and long, dark nights give us pause to reflect on the miracles, wonder and mystery of the season. In Jewish and Christian faith traditions, stories of the season recall struggles that are overcome through miracles or the generosity of strangers.

The spirit of these stories is alive in contributions of time and money donors like you make to Interfaith Coalition. These donations help many of our neighbors in need overcome struggles with homelessness, health issues, or loneliness. Yet, as a donor, you are a stranger to those you’ve helped and they to you.

Peter Reinhart writes in his book, Bread Upon the Waters, “The fastest way to know God is to serve the God in someone else.”

As you recall the stories of the season, as well as the struggles, acts of kindness and miracles in your own story, may the light of your heart glow brightly and may your heart open to a stranger, a neighbor in need.

Know that whatever gift you offer at this time is appreciated. You may make a contribution from our “Donations” page on this site, or, if you prefer, you can mail a contribution to us at Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County, 2401 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.

Shalom. Peace.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14 Tom Hunter wraps up our “Aging with Grace” series by encouraging participants to consider how aging looks forward playfully. A musician, educator and minister, Tom will offer a session with more song and story than strategy, more fun than analysis. Certain to be entertaining, as well as inspiring, the session is from 10 a.m. to noon at First Christian Church, 495 East Bakerview Road in Bellingham. To reserve your space, call Interfaith Coalition, 734-3983, or e-mail Lori@interfaith-coalition.org.

Congregations throughout Whatcom County are busy collecting warm outerwear to distribute this month and next to individuals and families in need.

Each year Interfaith Coalition distributes about 3,000 clean, gently used coats that are collected from congregations then distributed at sites throughout the county. Community food banks and school districts’ Readiness to Learn programs are partners in this effort.

Below is the schedule for delivering coats to distribution sites, as well as information about when and where they will be available for those in need.

In Blaine and northern Whatcom County, donated coats may be dropped off at the Blaine Food Bank, 500 C St., on Monday, Oct. 8, from 9 to 11 a.m.  Those in need of a warm coat may pick one up on Tuesday, Oct. 9, or Friday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon.

In Bellingham, donated coats may be dropped off in the gym at Church of the Assumption, 2116 Cornwall Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. Those in need of a warm coat may pick one up on Saturday, Oct. 27, from noon to 2 p.m. or on Sunday, Oct. 28, from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday’s hours coincide with the monthly Bellingham Community Meal.

In eastern Whatcom County, donated coats may be dropped off at Foothills Food Bank at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 6206 Mt. Baker Highway, in Deming, on Monday, Oct. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. Those in need of a warm coat may pick one up on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

In Ferndale donated coats may be dropped off at United Church of Ferndale, 2034 Washington St., from Monday, Oct. 29, through Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon. Those in need of a warm coat may pick one up on Wednesday, Nov. 7 or Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.