The Secret's Out on Interfaith

South Milwaukee-Oak Creek Interfaith Director Jennifer Rundell likes to say that her organization is the best-kept secret in Milwaukee County.

But with a shoe-string budget - all of $40,000, which includes the salaries of Rundell and her assistant - she hopes it doesn't stay that way much longer.

Interfaith is known best as a service that helps elderly people get from one place to the next for free. The Oak Creek-South Milwaukee branch serves about 200 people who, as a result, are better able to go to medical appointments, church, the grocery store and complete various other tasks and chores.

These are the same people who at one point were teachers and Little League coaches, nurses and snow-plow drivers. Rundell feels that with society moving at such a rampant pace, they don't get the attention from their neighbors that they used to.

Enter Interfaith. 

"What I try to tell people is that these people we're taking care of – they are the bread-and-butter of our community," Rundell said. 

"They're stranded now. What are we going to do to give back?" 

More than transportation

Interfaith started 35 years ago when a pastor noticed a woman had stopped attending church. When he asked why, the woman replied that she had no way to get there. 

Soon after, a transportation service was born. But it's become so much more than that. 

A core group of 25-30 volunteers - and about 60 total - in Oak Creek and South Milwaukee are a lifeline to elderly folks who may not have family or anyone else to talk to.

About nine times out of 10, a relationship develops outside of those car rides, Rundell said.

"The number-one problem we face is isolation," Rundell said. 

Budget troubles

But like anyone else, Interfaith is in a constant struggle for funding. 

The South Milwaukee-Oak Creek branch was in worse shape when Rundell took over three years ago, as it faced an $11,000 deficit. That is gone, but it's still a tough slog to find money.

The organization previously got a lot of money from churches, but they face their own financial difficulties. , too, have been consistently cut over the past few years.

Rundell is trying to tap into area businesses, which she said would be well-served by a fiscally-healthy Interfaith. It would also help Interfaith spend less time fundraising and more time serving residents.

"My pitch is that if we can get businesses to underwrite the program, it prevents their employees from having to take time off to drive mom or dad or their aunt and uncle to all those appointments," she said.

But despite the economy making things tougher than ever, Interfaith has stayed vibrant.

"Somehow or another," Rundell said, "we manage to survive."

To get involved with Interfaith or for more information on donating money, call (414) 762-1998 or email smocinterfaith@interfaithmilw.org.