History

1985

Ben Beltzer hired as Executive Director of Presbyterian Housing Coalition. Ben had founded and run a transitional housing program in Missouri for ten years with his wife Patsy.

1986

photo:1986

Changed name to Interfaith Housing Coalition, developed an on-site children’s program and became a partner with the Junior League of Dallas.

1988

A donated house was delivered to its current location, 5600 Ross Avenue in two pieces. Used as an administrative building, the home continues to serve as a metaphor for the home and hope that Interfaith staff seek to offer.

1988-1990

Interfaith shared offices, staff, and financial resources with Habitat for Humanity to help reinstate Habitat’s Dallas program.

1991

Interfaith acquired a 26-unit apartment complex on Munger Avenue.

1992

Interfaith named a Dallas Morning News Charity for the first time.

1993

photo:1993

Established on-site pastoral counseling for adults, play therapy and comprehensive summer programming for children.

1994

photo:1994

Formed an after-school program, an alumni program for former residents, and grew to 200+ volunteers with a $500,000 annual budget.

1996

Interfaith received the national Samaritan Award for compassionate, efficient and effective solutions to homelessness.

2000

Initiated the “HOPE 2000” capital campaign to fund facilities expansion, with a goal of $1.7 million dollars.

2002

Interfaith purchased and began renovating a 24-unit complex. The Hope Street Center also underwent renovation for employment programs, additional office space, and expanded services.

2004

Ben Beltzer retired after 18 years of ministry and former program director, Linda Hall named Executive Director.

2005

Interfaith selected as a Crystal Charity Ball beneficiary. Funding supported a Waldorf-based children’s curriculum and a new teen leadership program. Interfaith also opened the Beltzer Hope Center that served more than 1,000 families in relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

2006

Interfaith developed a strategic plan to provide a replicable model for community-based homeless prevention programs, with more than 10 organizations across the country utilizing Interfaith’s curriculum, program models, and staff trainings materials.

2012

Interfaith added an Employer Partner Program and Vocational Assessment as a result the average graduate wage increased from $9.48/hour to $12.19/hr. Interfaith increased mandatory savings rate to 40% which result in an average graduate savings increase from $1500 to $5021. Interfaith developed the Greater Academic Performance Program to provide academic assessments and individualized tutoring for children who are behind in reading and math.

2016

photo:2016

Interfaith Housing Coalition changed name to Interfaith Family Services and rebranded logo.

2017

photo:2017

Interfaith Family Services hosted its groundbreaking ceremony on November 30th 2017 to kick off the construction of its new Family Empowerment Center, created to provide hope for families as Dallas continues to identify ways to reduce its poverty rate and provide options for the working poor. Watch video footage from the event.

2019

photo:2019

Interfaith completed its $11.4 Million capital campaign and opened Dallas’ most holistic Family Empowerment Center.