Interfaith Works names Meg Martin its new leader

Interfaith Works, a coalition of faith communities in the Olympia area that provides services to the homeless among other things, has selected Meg Martin as its new leader.

Martin, who joined the management of Interfaith Works in 2013, took over as executive director Wednesday. She helped start Interfaith Works’ overnight homeless shelter in 2014 and later oversaw homeless services as co-executive director after Danny Kadden left in 2018.

The group’s board picked Martin to lead the organization Dec. 11. She takes over as Interfaith Works prepares to build a shelter and permanent supportive housing facility with the Low Income Housing Institute at 2828 Martin Way E in Olympia.

The city of Olympia agreed to sell the property to LIHI this summer. It also awarded $1.1 million from the city’s Home Fund to the project in June.

Last month, the project got $3 million from the state’s Housing Trust Fund. The project is expected to cost about $18.5 million, with construction beginning this year.

“I feel really excited about where we’re headed. Everything that is on the horizon, I just feel like it’s exactly what’s needed for our community,” Martin, 36, told The Olympian. “Right now is a time of such polarization and I look forward to Interfaith Works’ role in bringing together the community to solve some of our most pressing challenges.”

The 24/7 shelter on Martin Way would replace Interfaith Works’ current overnight shelter at First Christian Church in downtown Olympia.

This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 7:00 AM.