OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Welcome to Who’s Who in the 352, an exclusive 352Today feature in which we get to know some of our region’s movers and shakers a little better. This week’s subject is Karla Greenway, who as CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services helps provide the support and resources necessary to lift those out of the gaps in society into which it can be tragically, unaccountably easy to fall.
How long have you been involved with Interfaith Emergency Services?
I started the week of Thanksgiving in 2010 so I’ve been doing this for 15 years.
Can you tell us a bit about how IES grew from a food pantry/soup kitchen to an organization that provides support all the way from the streets to home and job placement?
When you have people in front of you presenting with challenges for which there are no resources, it is painful. So as we saw trends in terms of growing needs and gaps in local services, we attempted to fill the gaps that we could. When Interfaith saw an increase in homelessness we added a shelter to serve as overflow for the Salvation Army’s shelter. When people came for groceries and were suffering physically because they couldn’t afford their prescribed medications, Interfaith opened a thrift store to create a funding stream to purchase medications. As we identified needs that we believed we could adequately address, we added programs. And as we grew, the community’s heart grew with us to support our efforts. Some of the support that allowed us to expand came through government funding and some came through generous donors who believe in our mission. But the vision comes from God and we strive to stay in His will. As long as we are on the right path, He provides everything we need to serve our clients.
You’ve talked in the past about how volunteer-driven the organization’s work tends to be. How crucial are volunteers to IES’ mission?
If Interfaith was a body, our volunteers are the heartbeat. Without them, Interfaith would die. We utilize over 400 volunteers on a regular basis. There is no way we could afford to hire all of that labor and still have funds to provide the services. So volunteers are like gold to us. They also bring the “heart” of Marion County to Interfaith because they come from different faiths, walks of life, and communities. They connect us to the greater community united for the purpose of caring for our fellow citizens.
What are some of the services IES provides to the community that some people might not know about?
Many don’t know that we pay for prescription medications for people who lack insurance or provide access to medical and dental care through our partnerships with the Hope Clinic, FreeDOM Clinic and Heart of Florida. People are also surprised to learn that we employ a certified and licensed mental health counselor and provide counseling at no charge to our clients. The work boot program is also a pleasant surprise when people learn that we will purchase a pair of work boots or skidproof shoes required by OSHA to help individuals start new jobs. The service that few know about is our permanent supportive housing because once we transition a person from living in the woods to an apartment with wraparound support to stay housed, they don’t stand out as a homeless person anymore. They blend right in to our regular society. We’ve been able to end chronic homelessness for many individuals through that program and our homeless shelter.
When did you know that you were destined for a life in social service?
Even as a child I was always drawn to the “underdog,” the person with a disability, or the loner. God gifted me with a compassion for people that always made me look deeper and want to learn more about their situation and challenges rather than judging or dismissing them. I just can’t see someone suffering and not want to do something to help. I believe that at the end of life, the only thing that is really going to matter is how you loved people and if anything was different or better because you were here.
How could someone get involved as a volunteer at Interfaith?
Go to iesmarion.org. All of the ways to get involved either as a donor or a volunteer are listed there. And if someone wants to come take a tour of our campus and see our ministry in action I would be honored to give that tour! Just call my assistant, Emily at 352-629-8868 to set that up or email me directly at Karla@iesmarion.org.
With a plate so full, what do you think the future holds for IES in terms of meeting the emerging and changing needs of our community’s less fortunate?
Currently we are expanding our shelter to add additional emergency beds. That (and affordable housing) are the most imminent needs in our county. Beyond that, I’m not sure. But if I ever come into a whole lot of money, I have a vision for how to humanely house our friends who suffer with mental illness. Stay tuned! If I’ve learned anything since I’ve been at Interfaith, it’s that nothing is impossible with God.