OUR PROGRAMS
Interfaith provides a wide array of services. All services are based upon availability of resources and volunteer staffing. Hours may change due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances. If you have further questions, please contact our helpdesk at (352) 629-8868.
Our goal is simple – to help as many people in the community as we can.
Essential Services
Hours: Monday - Friday, from 9:00am – 11:30am and 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
Location: 435 NW 2nd Street, Ocala.
Required for Services: You will need to bring proper identification including a photo ID and social security card for each family member. We will provide one-time service for those lacking requested documentation.
Food Assistance is available to each household one time per month as a supplement for those needing assistance with groceries. As the majority of food is received by Interfaith as a donation, we cannot guarantee specific food items. We also provide food assistance with other community partners at Fellowship, Dunnellon and Marion Oaks. For information about these pantries, please call our office.
Hygiene items such as soap, deodorant and other essentials are provided when available.
Reading Glasses are made possible through a partnership with the Lions Club, upon availability.
Identification Cards are provided for those that have recently moved to the area from out of state or county. This program is made possible through a partnership with our local Tax Collector’s Office. Required documentation varies, please call for more information.
Gas Cards for medical appointments at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, as available. In rare circumstances this program also helps people get to other hospitals around the state for specialized care or critical medical procedures.
Work Boots for Jobs are provided in partnership with local employment agencies, for those needing work boots or non-skid shoes required for gainful employment. Requires letter from employer (on letterhead) with need of specialized footwear.
Boutique and Shower Ministries
Location: 435 NW 2nd Street, Ocala.
Required for Services: none
Free Clothing Boutique is open throughout the week for those in need.
Hours: Monday - Friday, from 9:00am – 11:30am and 1:00pm – 3:30pm.
Shower Ministry For those experiencing homelessness, our shower ministry includes a hot shower, towel, and hygiene items as available, as well as clothing from the Boutique.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Center for Life Services
Hours: Monday - Friday, from 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
Location: 108 N Pine Avenue, Ocala.
Required for Services: Photo Identification. Other documentation may be requested as needed.
The Center for Life exists to meet the urgent healthcare needs of those without insurance or enough income to afford professional care.
The Prescription Assistance Program provides assistance with prescription medications and primary care visits. Funding for this program is provided in partnership with the Marion County Hospital District and proceeds from the Interfaith Thrift Store.
Patient Assistance Program aids with applications to pharmaceutical companies that provide medications directly to clients at no cost to them. Only available from participating manufacturers and with physician assistance.
Mental Health Counseling provided free of charge to clients without health insurance, trauma-informed mental health services by a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. This program provides hours of professional counseling to individuals who otherwise would not have access to this critical service. Services are contingent on work-load capacity of our therapist.
Charley’s Garden is a special place where parents can memorialize children that were lost before birth due to abortion or natural causes. This space is created to promote spiritual and emotional healing. For more information or to memorialize a child, call 352-629-8868.
Clinic Services
Through partnerships with Hope Clinic and the FreeDOM Clinic, clients can receive free medical, vision and dental services.
Hope Clinic (Medical): for an appointment, please call (352) 629-8868.
Freedom Dental and Vision: appointments are made at www.freedomclinicusa.org.
Housing Programs
Addressing housing insecurity and ending homelessness one person at a time through supportive housing options with wrap-around services:
Interfaith Duplex offers housing to single women who were previously sheltered in our emergency homeless shelter and who also suffer with a disabling condition.
14th Street Apartments in partnership with Marion County Community Services, with the support of our County Commissioners, this program offers two types of housing assistance:
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Support Housing: provides 5 units and staff support to end homelessness for individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness with a disabling condition.
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Low Income Housing provides 8 units for housing individuals and families with income at or below the 50% of the AMI for Marion County.
Engagement Center (Soon to be Built)
The focus of the Engagement Center will be to meet the individual needs of those experiencing homelessness through partnerships with other local agencies. Services will focus on:
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Obtaining identification documentation
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Employment services in partnership with Career Source
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Work related needs such as steel toe boots, uniforms, and non-skid shoes
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Transportation services such as free bicycles or bus passes to medical appointments or job-related needs
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Help finding affordable housing and connection to partner agencies that may be able to help with start-up costs
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Social security services such as help filling out disability paperwork or initiating the disability claim
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Referrals to partner agencies that provide mental health services or substance abuse recovery programs
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Programs to develop soft skills for job preparedness
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Literacy and GED services in partnership with the Marion County Literacy Council
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Basic life skills
Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness
Hours: Shelter staff are available daily 3:00pm – 9:00pm.
Applications Available: Monday - Friday, 9:00am – 11:30am and 1pm – 4:00pm.
Location: 435 NW 2nd Street, Ocala.
Required for Services: You will need to bring proper identification including a photo ID. Other documentation may be requested. Assistance is based on bed availability. Due to safety issues, we are not able to assist anyone in an active domestic violence situation. Please call the Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 .
Our Shelter Program provides a safe haven and transitional services for women, single parents, and families experiencing homelessness. Residents are provided with all their basic needs while staying with us. We offer a three-month program for those seeking self-sufficiency and stability. This includes weekly case management meetings, budgeting, life-skills, mental health & trauma counseling, art therapy, bible study, parenting classes and goal setting. Our goal is to help individuals and families end their homelessness.
Food 4 Kids ‘Backpack’ Program
This program provides weekend meals to children at risk of hunger. Participants are referred by school personnel. Backpacks are filled with food for every child in the household and can include: canned meat, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter and jelly, soup, applesauce, oatmeal, pasta, etc.
Thanks to our donors and volunteers, we partner with nearly 40 schools in Marion County. The program can support up to 1,800 students, providing more than 200,000 meals each school year. Food 4 Kids makes a huge difference in the lives of children by enabling them to focus on learning instead of their hunger and keeping them healthy and nourished. A $25 monthly donation will provide the food needed to fill a backpack for one child for the month.
If you need other services, you are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 on your phone to use United Way’s referral system. This free information and referral service can link people with questions or problems to organizations, agencies or programs that meet their needs, 24 hours a day, in your local area. Clients can access 2-1-1’s service in any language. Simply let the 2-1-1 specialist know what language you speak when you call. They have the most thorough and up-to-date information available.
Service dates and times can change due to weather, staffing and other unforeseen circumstances.