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INTERFAITH WELLNESS MINISTRY,

Our Mission Statement

To assist local churches and the community to integrate faith and health by promoting wellness of body, mind, and spirit. We keep our eyes focused on this goal with each program we design.

How We Promote Wellness

Through various initiatives, we work to:
Educate and Equip:
Offering classes, health talks, and essential supplies ranging from oral health kits to winter warmth items as well as clothing emergencies for schools.
Bridge Gaps:
Acting as a vital liaison, we connect those in need with crucial services and resources.
Collaborate for Greater Impact:
We join forces with health providers, agencies, schools, and churches, strengthening our collective effort to foster a healthier community.

Meet Our Staff

Donna m. crow
Executive Director
Sandra Arvin
Office Manager
Cheryl Stepp
Program/Office Assistant
Sister Loretta Spotila, CSA, RN
Founder/Board President

Facts about This Area of Appalachia and Why It Needs Help

  • Estill County is lucky to have a small local hospital but is still considered medically underserved. Our hospital serves our and the surrounding counties. There are not enough physicians or dentists, and there is a severe lack of mental health service providers.
  • Considered a "food desert" with a lack of grocery stores and healthy food choices.
  • Lack of income and public transportation limit people's access to health care and groceries.
  • The prevalence of diabetes and obesity is higher than the national average, even among the youth.
  • More than 40% of residents have high cholesterol and/or hypertension.
  • One-third (33%) of the children and adults live in poverty.
  • There is no sizable industry, and only a few jobs exist without commuting to another city: unemployment ranges from 10–20%.
  • Death rates due to cancer, heart disease, stroke, and suicide are higher than average for the State of Kentucky, which in turn is higher than the national average.
  • Only 3% of women and 6% of men completed a bachelor's degree, while 22% never finished high school.
  • 60% of the people do not belong to an organized faith community.
  • Roughly 40% of our children do not live with their parents full-time or at all.
  • Despite these bleak statistics and lack of resources our community is friendly, our people are kind and resilient.
Sandra gets away from the desk to teach a cooking class
Sr. Loretta poses with two happy Winter Warmth recipients
Cheryl works with junior volunteer, Jaxson to fill hygiene bags
Donna introduces Mercy Health Dietician at weekly Healthy You meeting