InterServ History

For over 100 years, InterServ has stood as a symbol of hope for individuals and families in St. Joseph, bringing community leaders, volunteers, and churches together to counter the effects of poverty on children, youth, the elderly, and families. Since 1909, we have worked to seek out and assist those in need so that all may live their lives more thoroughly and more capably. From our rich heritage as an outreach mission of the Methodist Church to the ecumenical ministry, we have become today, our history (and our future) is built on a foundation of faith and an unwavering determination to advocate on behalf of those with the fewest alternatives.

From the very beginning, when a group of women from the Methodist Episcopal Church opened the doors of Wesley House to offer citizenship classes and support to immigrants seeking employment in the stockyards and packing plants in St. Joseph, InterServ has shaped the social service landscape in our community—responding to ever-changing needs and challenges. With Deaconess Miss Francis Scott leading the mission, Wesley House, in conjunction with the Jr. League, organized a milk station serving milk every afternoon and each Saturday to groups of mothers and children who were encouraged to stay at the station and drink all the milk they wanted. As the early programs grew, new programs were formed to address emerging needs. The Mother's Club, a support group to help immigrant mothers learn to live in a new culture, offered night classes in English, emphasizing Americanization that enabled adult students to become naturalized citizens.

Today, our Mobile Meals program, which began in the early 1970s, is the largest, serving over 150,000 meals to homebound seniors each year.

 

Under the direction of Joyce Raye Patterson and later David G. Berger, InterServ pressed forward to meet new challenges and reflect on changing times. Gone is the milk station, but in its place, InterServ worked to develop the summer "Playground" to keep young children safe and active, after-school programs for youth, and senior housing across the city. The popular sport of boxing gave way to Olympic weightlifting in the youth program. A transitional living program for abused women and their children teaches independent living skills through one-on-one counseling and support. Even as we dream for the future and envision a haven and transitional housing for the chronic homeless as a reality, we have also returned to our past to serve a growing immigrant population.

InterServ has seen many changes through the years—our programs and services, our location, and even our name have changed, but our mission has remained the same. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, partnerships were formed with other church-related ministries, first with Catholic Social Services, then Presbyterian Community Action Programs, and later with Midland Empire Regional Ministry. Our ministry is linked to the National Division and the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Heartland Presbytery, and the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ, bringing about the name Interfaith Community Services (InterServ), which represents both who were are and what we do. InterServ is the bridge between communities of faith, neighbors, government programs, and community volunteers who bring diverse groups together in mission, service, and advocacy.

For almost a century, we have actively responded to the community's needs by developing programs and services relevant to the needs of the people. InterServ is a beacon of hope, providing comprehensive social services that reach vulnerable populations throughout Northwest Missouri. Individual & Family Assistance, Counseling and Case Management, Immigrant Services, In-Home Services, Professional Medical Services, Elderly Nutrition, Infant/Childcare, Youth Programs, and Volunteer Opportunities address issues that impact the individuals and families that make our community and our region, strong.

InterServ has seen many changes through the years— our programs and services, our location, and even our name have changed. However, our mission and our values remain the same.

 

One significant change and after many years of exploration, information gathering, and prayer, InterServ has moved into a new facility, new health and wellness center in south St. Joseph. InterServ's faithful commitment to our community that began in 1909 will continue for years to come with the addition of a new facility at the corner of Cherokee and King Hill Avenue that has replaced the Wesley Center.

The new center provides a new gymnasium, commons area, fitness/weight room, kitchen and food pantry, and administrative offices.

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