Alyssa Wilson ~ Editor in Chief
When any member of the Lynchburg community finds themselves in need of help with a water bill, electricity bill, or an eviction notice they can almost always count on the help and support of the Interfaith Outreach Association, a local nonprofit organization.
The organization has been operating as the Interfaith Outreach Association since 1982, but served the community under a few different names in the years prior.
At its start, IOA was started after faith leaders from four different denominations came together to discuss the issues happening in Lynchburg, and how they could work together to make a difference.
Today, IOA’s emergency assistance program involves help with utility terminations, evictions, first month’s rent and so much more. In addition to this, the program also has resources that assist with furnishing a home, completing home repairs, and a homeless prevention program.
For the past 41 years, the Association has held a fundraising event in celebration of the work they do called ‘Seeds of Hope’.
Annually, the organization and its board of directors get together to pick two honorees to give a lifetime achievement award, recognizing their dedication to living by IOA’s mission.
This year those honorees are Rev. Dr. Owen Cardwell, and Patty Worsham.
One community in particular that has been historically involved in IOA’s mission, is that of the University of Lynchburg.
Not only is Cardwell the honoree for this year’s event, but he is also a former professor of the University and the current co-director of the University’s Center for Education and Leadership.
Over the years, students from the university have both volunteered with and worked at the organization; one such student, Jeffrey Snow, is now the outreach coordinator.
“Interfaith really exists to step in when life throws things out of people’s control and they need a little bit of a helping hand,” says Snow.
Through funding from grants and various governmental programs, IOA is able to carry on their mission, however without donations and fundraising events, like ‘Seeds of Hope’, the organization would not be able to run as well as it does now.
“96% of our budget goes back towards helping people,” says Snow. “So events like this directly impact whether our amount of money to help people goes up or goes down.”
Annual honorees are typically chosen around something prominent in Lynchburg’s community. For example, when the ‘Seeds of Hope’ event was last held, healthcare workers were given the lifetime achievement award for excellent service in the community.
This year, the board decided to choose two educators to highlight.
“Our educators are really helping people and equipping them with those tools to be able to be successful, and that’s what we’re trying to do with our program too, giving them those tools and meeting them where they’re at,” Snow adds.
One person who was part of the honoree selection process is Vice President for Advancement at the university, Dr. Micheal Bonnette.
After joining the University of Lynchburg in its philanthropic sector, Bonnette had the opportunity to get involved with community philanthropy after Sheila Garren, wife of former University President Dr. Kenneth Garren, stepped down from the board.
IOA was looking for another University of Lynchburg connection, and ended up making one with Bonnette.
“I love the fact that it’s so interdenominational,” says Bonnette. “It meant a lot to me to have that broad community influence and community connection with all of the different faiths that are represented.”
Bonnette has helped with event preparation and planning in years’ past, but says that this year is particularly special because he has a close relationship with honoree Cardwell.
Cardwell has earned degrees in leadership studies, education and religion, and currently serves as the pastor at Diamond Hill Baptist Church. Cardwell has dedicated his life to teaching people of all ages and situations.
When IOA’s Executive Director, Shawne Farmer called Cardwell on the phone to extend the award, he said he was humbled and honored to be recognized.
He is also currently helping the organization on a research project conducted by the research center at the University of Lynchburg, which highlights 12 different nonprofit organizations in the issue areas that are recognized in the Centra Health Needs Assessment.
The assessment is done by Centra every three years to determine what the highest need in the Lynchburg area is over that three year period.
Usually the area of faith is not involved in the assessment, but for the upcoming assessment period, it has been one of two added areas.
Cardwell will be assisting in the data gathering process to determine how much churches are giving to certain organizations, such as the Interfaith Outreach Association.
The event name, ‘Seeds of Hope’ tells the community that there are new beginnings being started that will one day reap positive change and outcomes as they grow, and while the name stays the same every year, it seems particularly relevant with the theme of education.
“When you boil all this down, education is the key to many of the challenges and problems that are confronting our community,” says Cardwell.
Cardwell explains that he confronts community issues as if they are a house with many different entrances: windows, doors, etc.. He compares every community issue to a different entrance that ultimately gives someone full access to this house.
“Education is foundational,” says Cardwell.
RSVPs for the Interfaith Outreach Association’s event will be open until the day of the event, April 20, 2023.
For more information call (434) 846-6098 or email IOA at ioa@ntelos.net.
