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

Hosting rotates weekly among the 10 to 12 host congregations in a Network.  In turn, each host congregation provides lodging, three meals daily, and welcoming care.

2.  DAY CENTER

Guests use a local day center from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., where the IHN director, a professional social worker, provides case management services.  There, guests pursue employment, tend pre-school children, shower, and do laundry.  The day center 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

An IHN van transports guests to and from the day center.  The van also carries bedding and luggage to the next host congregation.

Facts about the Roanoke Valley Interfaith Hospitality Network

• 27 congregations comprise the Roanoke Valley Interfaith Hospitality Network.

• 1,000 people are learning more about the unique struggles of homeless families by serving as volunteers.

• 15,000 hours are volunteered by members of our network.

• 25 families have been sheltered (80 people)

• 48 children received care from RVIHN.

• 60% of families served found successful placement into permanent or transitional housing.

• 68% of families served had one non-disabled family member working full-time at the time they left RVIHN.

• 3,747 nights of shelter were provided.

• 11,241 meals were provided.

• $350 in financial assistance per family was provided through client assistance funds.

• $119,000 was the cost to operate RVIHN for 2005.

• $326 is the cost to operate RVIHN for one day.

Contact: Jan Therien 772-7319 or

                    Dan and Joan Dowdy 989-7943