The primary purpose of The Alliance for Interfaith Ministries (AIM) is to provide emergency assistance to families threatened with homelessness, loss of power or fuel, or other temporary financial crisis.

 Helping a family stay in their residence is of paramount importance to AIM. Roughly 95% of the clients referred to AIM are families living below the poverty line. When an emergency occurs, these families have nowhere to turn for assistance.

·         Helping families meet their basic housing requirements enables them to maintain their self-respect and dignity, and remain self-reliant, productive citizens.

·         Empowering recipients to maintain integrity of lifestyle and improve their condition is an investment in family stability.

·         Assisting families in tangible ways as they struggle with financial emergencies is an investment in community vigor and strength.

·         Helping people in desperate situations maintain control over their own lives gives them hope in the possibilities of the future.

Funding Sources

AIM is an ecumenical partnership that receives financial support from 37 religious groups. In addition, AIM receives grants from local and family foundations, ranging from $12,000 to $30,000 per year and contributions from individuals ranging from $6,100 to $10,100 per year.

Process for Evaluation and Accountability

All contributions are recorded and deposited when received. The treasurer of the Board of Directors prepares a monthly financial report and these are circulated during quarterly board meetings. Files are kept on each client including the amount of monetary assistance received and the provider of that service (landlord, etc.). Statistics are maintained including how many in household, how many under five years, over 60 years, or disabled, and how many clients are new or repeats from previous years. Annual letters are sent to all contributors and to each congregation.

 Goods and Services

 AIM is staffed by training and caring volunteers and one part-time director. The need for volunteers is always crucial, especially during Energy Share season – January through April. Locating volunteers in each congregation is an on-going effort.