Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS) began in 1964 when south metro Denver resident Maida Navis noticed that some of her neighbors needed extra help. Working families were not making ends meet, neighborhood children went without necessities, and elderly residents were losing their independence.
Mrs. Navis gathered neighborhood leaders for a “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” effort, forming the original Inter-Faith Task Force for Community Services. The task force provided services designed to help struggling neighbors achieve independent living – some for the first time.
Those early leaders were determined to provide assistance that would always be a hand up rather than a handout. In 1968, IFCS was designated an “official poverty agency” of south metro Denver.
Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS) provides basic human services and enrichment programs to low-income people, using community resources. IFCS fosters self-sufficiency and respects the dignity of each client, serving the greater Denver metro area.
Through a variety of resources IFCS helps individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. Best-known for our food market, IFCS services also nourish lives in a broader sense through financial assistance, school supplies, holiday grocery boxes, and recreation center vouchers.
Donations from businesses, individuals, community organizations, as well as grants from foundations and federal, state and local governments are IFCS’ major sources of funding. Fundraising, material and in-kind donations, and thousands of volunteer hours play an integral part in the continuation of IFCS services.
Since 1964, in collaboration with community partners, IFCS has provided an immediate response to hunger, the most basic need.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, IFCS pivoted operations to support a growing number of households with groceries and other basic needs. IFCS is a safety net to support families and children during difficult times by providing food access to those who are hungry or facing food insecurity and other issues associated with poverty.
IFCS’ service area includes various neighborhoods designated as “food deserts” and zip codes identified as having highest needs, as you can see by these maps.
Lack of access to healthy food options leads to a greater risk of chronic disease and poor health outcomes including diabetes and obesity. The USDA defines food deserts as low access to supermarkets or grocery stores.
The Community Needs Index measures economic and demographic data to better understand community demand for healthcare services. The index score is an average of five different scores measuring barriers to various socio-economic capital for each community at the zip code level. The darker the gradient, the higher the need.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |