INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK (IHN)

IIHN is a unique organization designed to provide temporary emergency shelter, meals and services needed to reestablish independent living by homeless women and families in Clark County.

Many factors contribute to homelessness including unemployment, eviction, physical and sexual abuse. Women and families wishing to enter the program are screened by an experienced staff member and an individualized service plan is developed for them. It can involve finding a job, finding housing, or both. Our church is one of the Springfield Area churches that provide meals for the guests housed at the IHN Facility at 501 W. High Street in Springfield. There they can shower, do laundry, pursue housing or job leads and obtain any other needed assistance from the staff. A phone, newspaper and information about all other Clark County agencies are available to the guests. In addition, transitional housing is available for additional families.

IHN provides up to 30 days emergency housing, 3 meals daily, employment and housing counseling, referrals to other appropriate agencies, a Day Center with use of address, phone, showers, and laundry facilities. IHN also provides help in obtaining birth certificates or other identification needed for employment, housing, SSI, etc.

This is a practical application of our Christian faith and volunteers are always needed to provide food, deliver it to the IHN Center, and serve dinner. We also need volunteers willing to mentor guests. For more information, or to volunteer to help, you can contact the IHN coordinator or the minister. Check out the IHN website at www.theihn.org.