What is the Interfaith Hopsitality Network?
The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) founded in New Jersey in 1986, was created in response to the growing need to provide shelter, meals, and comprehensive support to families without homes. IHN programs are now in many states across the country; in these programs, more than 80,000 volunteers are contributing their gifts of time and talent.
The Network program unites religious congregations to assist homeless families. Each host church and synagogue provides accommodations and meals for three to five families (up to 14 people) for one or two weeks, two to three times per year. Families are referred by social service agencies, congregations, schools, etc. and are assessed by program staff to ensure that the program is an appropriate placement for the family. Volunteers turn their churches and synagogues into temporary homes to provide hospitality to guest families. A centrally located day center is provided in a “Y”, a downtown church, or other community facility. Our Network employs a director who manages the program and a case manager who works with the families as they seek housing, jobs, and other resources.
Participating congregations furnish sleeping quarter and a hospitality room where guests relax, socialize, do homework, and watch television. Guests arrive at the host congregation between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. and remain overnight. The host congregation provides the evening meal, breakfast, and a bag lunch. In the morning, guests return to the day center. From there, children go to school, and adults care for young children or go out to work or to look for jobs or housing.
Volunteers in the IHN program provide homeless families with basic human needs - shelter, safety, and sustenance - with a spirit of warmth and hospitality. Churches and synagogues become temporary homes in which families are treated as guests and individuals are accepted as they are. In this environment, guests are able to maintain their dignity. The kindness of hosts helps to diminish the hurt of homelessness, and both guests and volunteers learn from each other.