Interfaith Outreach Association (IOA) was established in 1982 as a non profit organization.  The name was changed to Interfaith Outreach Association in 1991 to highlight the organization’s shared “interfaith” mission. Interfaith Outreach has incubated and then spun off several programs, including the Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity, the MedsHelp prescription program, and the Adult Care Center of Central Virginia.

Our Mission is “to cooperate in an interfaith effort to relieve distress and improve the quality of life for our neighbors in need”. 

IOA serves the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell. 

IOA currently supports five programs: Emergency Assistance, Emergency Heating Assistance Program for the Elderly (EHAPE), Furniture and Furnishings, Program for People with Visual Impairments, and the Progressive Release Program.

In 2011:

• IOA assisted 1,739 clients through Emergency Assistance (from January through September 2011).

• IOA’s Visually Impaired Program has spread its  message to approximately 500 people through three  outreach programs.

• IOA’s Progressive Release Program provided  counseling to over 1800 individuals at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail and 141 individuals received counseling at IOA once released.

• IOA’s Furniture Program gave 208 items of furniture to clients in need which included beds, dressers, kitchen tables, and sofas.

• IOA volunteers have provided over 1,000 hours of service through IOA’s various programs.