HISTORY • MISSION & GOAL • OBJECTIVES  

History - How the Interfaith Hospitality Network Began... 
On an impulse in 1981, a former business commuter bought a sandwich for an elderly, homeless woman whom she often passed on her route in New York City. "I just wanted to drop that sandwich and move on," remembers IHN founder Karen Olson, "but she grabbed my hand and we talked for several minutes. I realized she was hungry not only for food, but even more for human warmth and compassion."

Serving that sandwich changed the course of Karen's life. She got to know that woman, named Millie, and many of New York City's homeless people after she and her two sons began delivering sandwiches to them in Port Authority Bus Terminal on Sunday evenings. In listening to their life stories, they learned that homelessness is more than just houselessness...it often means the more profound loss of family, friends, and the support system that connects most of us to a stable life.

Karen soon learned that even in her home community of Union County, NJ, there were hundreds of homeless people, including many families. Believing that there were many who shared her concern, she looked to the religious community for help. The first step to involvement needed to be education. At a congregation-sponsored conference in October of 1985, over 200 participants listened to Wendy, a homeless mother of two, describe her ordeal of trying to keep her children safe while living in her car and in a run-down welfare motel. Her story, and presentations by clergy members and advocates for the homeless, developed the necessary awareness, and representatives from area congregations soon began working together to find a solution.

"At first, we tried to renovate a building for a family shelter, but finances, the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) syndrome, and red tape stalled our efforts," remembers Karen. "But we soon realized that if we worked together, we could do what we couldn't do alone."

Within ten months, nine churches and one synagogue came forward to provide hospitality space within their buildings; the local YMCA agreed to provide showers and a room for the families during the day; a car dealer discounted a van; and a foundation provided a grant for the rest. So, on October 27, 1986, the first Interfaith Hospitality Network opened its doors.

Word spread quickly about the program, and within nine months, another ten congregations formed a second Network. Initiatives such as transitional housing, child care and family mentoring programs, outgrowths of the increased awareness and involvement of community members, developed over the next several years.

The success of the Networks led other congregations to seek help in developing similar programs, and by 1989, National Interfaith Hospitality Network was formed with the mission to spread the program to all parts of the country where people of faith could work together to help homeless families.

Today, many thousands of volunteers have turned their thoughtful concern about homelessness into shelter, meals, and comprehensive support programs. Their service was recognized by President George Bush with the Volunteer Action Award, the highest volunteer honor bestowed in the United States.

While each Network is different and reflects local needs and resources, together they share a common mission. National Interfaith Hospitality Network joins Networks together in the commitment to spread the program to where it is needed, and to share resources and information. NIHN provides member services and benefits: technical assistance on all aspects of program development, implementation and operation; published guides and videotapes; a volunteer training curriculum; an annual conference, speakers bureau, quarterly newsletter and information updates; as well as T-shirts and promotional materials printed with the IHN logo.

Above all, IHN is about people caring. IHN volunteers are part of a growing, grassroots movement that brings congregations together to help homeless families achieve independence and to work for permanent solutions. The values underlying this movement compassion, generosity, and understanding and valuing others, unite and affirm all of us in the work ahead.

Mission and Goal
The I.H.N. provides an established network of churches and community agencies to promote a community response for homeless families with children. In particular, this response provides an opportunity for homeless families to remain together as a family while addressing the challenges that confront them in obtaining housing. These families receive counseling, services and opportunities on issues related to each family's specific needs. An organized coalition of community churches provide temporary food and shelter for families involved in the Network.

Objectives
1. To provide temporary services of food, clothing, transportation and shelter for three to five families at a time (up to 14 persons).

2. To assist homeless families find permanent and affordable housing.

3. To provide various forms of assistance for families through social workers and other trained professionals.

4. To provide opportunities for community involvement with the Network and personal interaction between volunteers and guest families.

5. To provide cost effective support services by utilizing volunteers and existing community facilities, agencies and other local resources already in existence.

6. To increase participation and awareness among local churches and congregations in serving persons living in poverty situations.