The History of Our Mission

2007 marked the inauguration of an effort to affiliate area faith communities to improve our ability to serve those in our community who need assistance. The goal was to share resources to do a better job collectively than we could do individually in outreach to our people.

Our mission is accomplished by

• developing a governing Board of Directors, largely from sponsoring faith communities, dedicated to the IOC mission and overseeing its programs.
• working with sponsoring faith community clergy, for their advice and support
• providing a forum for communication among faith communities engaged in outreach
• promoting outreach efforts that serve the community

IOC activities have included:

• continuous collection of non-perishable food donations for local food pantries
• presentation of the Peace Fest on 9/11/2011, to acknowledge the anniversary of that event and to bring people together from varying faith traditions. This event celebrated efforts towards peace in our world.
• co-sponsorship of the May 2013 MPC Hungry and Homeless in Paradise Symposium.


• 2010 saw a shift in the work of IOC, as we decided to direct our efforts to Monterey County housing. In order to fulfill our mission, IOC obtained tax-exempt status as a public benefit nonprofit corporation, and opened the Joining Hands Benefit Shop at 26358 Carmel Rancho Lane in Carmel in September 2010. With the help of donors, shoppers and volunteers at the shop, IOC fulfills its mission by providing grants to agencies that assist with housing needs in the community.

Since opening the Joining Hands Benefit Shop in 2010, grants totaling $382,500 have been given to United Way partner agencies that provide housing services in Monterey County. 

An annual general meeting is held to learn about activities of sponsoring faith communities and other organizations whose missions coincide with that of IOC. 

An annual IOC Community Thanksgiving Interfaith Service has been held since 2009. The next Thanksgiving service will be help on Tuesday, November 26, 2020.

IOC held a celebration of International Earth Day, "Joining Hands to Heal and Protect God's Earth" on April 21, 2013, at the Labyrinth of the Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula.

Interfaith Outreach of Carmel is an 
organization of faith communities dedicated to extending a helping 
hand of service within Monterey County.

​Our mission is "Joining Hands to reduce homelessness".

Office: 
26346 Carmel Rancho Lane Suite C, 
Carmel, CA 93923