Media Fact Sheet
Mission Statement:
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (IM) brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration and service.
History:
IM began in 1955 as the Houston Council of Churches when its processor, the Church Welfare Bureau, was asked to minister to those in need within the Protestant community. In 1964 the Church Welfare Bureau was reorganized and became known as Protestant Charities which was later joined by the Jewish community. This collaboration led to the charter of Houston Metropolitan Ministries in 1969 which is now recognized as its anniversary.
Programs/Services:
Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston provides homebound seniors with a nutritious meal that is delivered to them at no charge. This program assists those who are age 60 and above who have difficulty preparing a meal. Although this program is not based upon household income, most participants are considered low income by government standards.
Food for Seniors program delivers seniors a box of shelf stable groceries each month.
Dining In is a for-pay home-delivered meal service available inside the Beltway. Dining In has no eligibility requirements, which makes it attractive to seniors who are not eligible for Meals on Wheels.
Client Services connects IM’s senior clients with appropriate agencies to help them with their needs.
Interfaith Relations IM sees its role as a safe harbor for greater Houston through its many interfaith programs and dialogue efforts. IM increasingly is asked to advise faith communities, government and non-profits on how to bet engage Houston's diverse faith community. IM is sought after to use its position in the community to communicate to communities of faith; to channel the efforts of the interfaith community; to provide avenues for contact between and among the diverse community and to offer programs so that individuals and groups can come to know one another. At any given time IM facilitates a series of dialogue groups which bring leaders and others together for intensive dialogue.
Amazing Faiths Project Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (IM) and The Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance at Rice University co-founded the Amazing Faiths Project in Houston in 2007 with official sponsorship from the Houston’s mayor’s office.
The Boniuk Center operates and directs the Project at large, while Interfaith Ministries (IM) operates the Project in the "laboratory city" of Houston. Events and initiatives including Dinner Dialogues were piloted in Houston as part of the Greater Houston Area Amazing Faiths Project. Now that these programs have proven successful, the events have been formalized to create models so they can be offered to an at-large constituency, both nationally and internationally.
Greater Houston Area Amazing Faiths Project hosts several events throughout the year to exemplify IM’s mission statement. The Dinner Dialogue is the cornerstone event of the Amazing Faiths Project. In this annual event, people gather in groups of 8-10 in private homes to share a meal and engage in a moderated discussion about the role of faith or spirituality in their lives.
Faith Tours are monthly opportunities for the general public to explore various faith traditions through directed conversation about the tenets of various faiths, their practices, beliefs and sites of worship or community gatherings. Faith Tours are not offered in July and August.
Three times a year the Greater Houston Area Amazing Faiths Project offers a Spiritual Gathering for Women at places of worship or faith community sites. The communities of faith present their beliefs and practices during a brief 15-30 minute educational session. Following the presentation attendees engage in a question and answer session. Women from various faith traditions and beliefs participate in a directed small group dialogue while they share a culturally sensitive dinner provided by the host community.
The Amazing Faiths Youth Program seeks to give the young people of Houston opportunities to come together and share openly about their beliefs and world views. The goal of the Youth Program is to connect a diverse group of motivated young people who believe that open minds and honest conversations can truly make a difference in the world. Students ages 13-18, from all faith traditions--including no faith tradition--are encouraged to join in.
Disaster Office brings together people of diverse faith traditions to alleviate human suffering in the aftermath of a disaster. This program is committed to teaching individuals and families, faith communities, non-profit organizations and small businesses how to best be prepared for a disaster (natural and natural) when faced with one. IM staff recruits, trains and mobilizes volunteers for relief and recovery efforts; and by coordinating the efforts of faith-based disaster recovery organizations with governmental disaster response agencies. Classes and events are scheduled throughout the year to help prepare individuals and groups.
Refugee Services assists refugees become familiar with America’s traditions and cultures thereby developing self-sufficiency. IM greets them when they come to our city and provides lodging for a temporary amount of time. Each person’s circumstance is different and requires different needs be met, including but not limited to assistance with completing paper work for a social security card and obtaining employment.
Please visit the IM website at www.imgh.org for complete details and information.