The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) program brings shelter, meals, and support services to families without homes.
IHNs are a cost-efficient, effective, and replicable community response to family homelessness. Because they make use of existing community resources, they can be implemented quickly, without major start-up costs.
IHN programs vary from community to community, reflecting local needs and resources. However, there are five basic components to an IHN program:
1. Hosts
A "host" is any church, synagogue or other faith community that can assist us by providing overnight shelter to our families. We transport families to a host site at about 5:00 pm and transport them back to the Family Promise Day Site the next morning at 7:00. The Host Site provides lodging, three meals daily, and welcoming care. Volunteers prepare the meals and remain at the Host Site overnight, providing security, assistance and guidance. Hosting rotates weekly among the host congregations in our network; we currently have 18.
2. Day Site
We use a local day center (day site) from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, where our director, a case manager, provides case management and supportive services. There, guests pursue employment, tend pre-school children, shower, and do laundry. The day site provides guests with a mailing address and a base for housing and employment searches. Many guests are employed during the day, while older children attend school.
3. Volunteers
Volunteers provide various services:
- Cooking and serving meals
- Playing with children or helping them with homework
- Interacting with guests, with respect and compassion
4. Social Service Agencies
Local social service agencies refer families to the Network. The agencies may also help guests find housing, jobs, and benefits.
5. Transportation
Our van transports guests to and from the day site. The van also carries bedding and luggage to the next host congregation.
