Ministries — Interfaith Hospitality Network

Mission

The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is a program that provides shelter, meals and welcoming care for families without homes. Local city or town churches work together to host temporary housing for 4 or 5 homeless families on a rotational basis. This ministry does not involve “transient” persons, but only families who need temporary help while they get back on their feet. Each church hosts the families for a one week stay, occurring once about every ten weeks.

History

The IHN program was conceived in 1989 by Karen Olson, a marketing executive from New Jersey. An unexpected encounter with a homeless woman changed Karen’s generalized conception of “the homeless” to the realization that “homeless people are people with hopes and dreams like you and me. The only difference is they have had one more calamity than they can handle.” From working in her local area, Karen began a national mobilization of religious communities to help homeless families with shelter and meals. Through her efforts, a vast network of volunteers has been created – and is still growing – that connects people in need with those who want to help. The IHN has expanded to 35 states and involves more than 100,000 volunteers and 4,000 congregations of all religious faiths.

The IHN in Loveland is a relatively new ministry but it has been successful in many other cities and regions. In cooperation with other local churches, Saint John participates in a regional IHN that is one of eight active networks in the state of Colorado.

How the INH Works

IHNs are a cost-efficient and effective community response to family homelessness. Because they make use of existing community resources, they can be implemented quickly without major start-up costs. Hosting congregations provide lodging, three meals daily, and fellowship during the evening and overnight hours of the hosting week. During the day, guests use a local day center to shower and do laundry, and are assisted by a professional social worker to pursue employment or tend pre-school children. Many guests are employed during the day while older children attend school. An IHN van transports guests to and from the day center. The van also carries bedding and luggage to the next hosting congregation.

Benefits of INH

The benefits of the Interfaith Hospitality Network are numerous.

To Volunteers
	Opportunity to make a difference in their own community.
	Opportunity for families to volunteer together.
	Range of volunteer jobs fits varying schedules, talents and commitment levels.

To Congregations
	Informs, energizes and motivates congregations.
	Offers meaningful family-centered outreach.
	Offers interfaith partnership.

To Guest Families
	More than 80% of IHN guests secure permanent housing.
	Intensive case management to assist in housing and job searches and in meeting other needs.
	Safe, homelike lodging where families can stay together.

To the Community
	Cost-effective mobilization of existing community resources.
	IHN does not institutionalize shelter as a solution to homelessness.
	Assists homeless families for about 1/3 the cost of public programs.
	IHN becomes a catalyst for other community initiatives, such as job counseling, parenting workshops, and transitional housing.

What IHN Volunteers Do

During the hosting period, IHN volunteers work in several shifts over the course of a week to feed and assist the guest families. Volunteers provide various services such as cooking and serving meals, playing with children and helping them with homework, or interacting with guests with respect and compassion. Guest families are hosted in Saint John Hall. Below is a typical shift schedule and list of activities performed during the hosting week. Two to four volunteers are needed for each shift.

First Day Set-up:
	1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
	Set-up rooms and beds for guest families.

Each Day of Hosting:
	Dinner Hosts:
	5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
	Bring dinner cooked to be prepared or warmed
	Hosts arrive – Review hospitality logbook; Sign in
	Guests arrive
	Fellowship time – getting acquainted
	Prepare and eat dinner meal
	Guests are encouraged to prepare lunches for next day
	Hosts and guests clean dining room and kitchen
	All clean dishes are put back into cupboards
	Communicate pertinent information to Evening Hosts

Evening Hosts:
	6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
	Bring dessert
	Hosts arrive – Review hospitality logbook; Sign in
	Fellowship time – getting acquainted
	Serve dessert
	Do children or family activities and/or homework
	Tidy play and activity areas
	Communicate pertinent information to Overnight Hosts

Overnight Hosts:
	8:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
	Hosts arrive – Review hospitality logbook; Sign in
	Fellowship time – getting acquainted
	Assist guests getting children ready for bed if needed
	Suggested bedtime for children is 9:00 p.m.
	Suggested lights-out time is 10:00 p.m. for adults
	Spend the night and assist with breakfast
	Wake guests for a 7:00 a.m. departure
	Be sure all food is covered and properly stored
	Unplug and store all appliances
	Leave kitchen clean for Extended (Day) Care workers
	Place all IHN notebooks and information in IHN drawer

Last Day Take-Down:
	1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
	Take down beds and clean

Contact Information

For more information or or to volunteer for this ministry, contact the Parish Office, (970) 635-5800.