INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK (IHN)

IHN 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 ten churches that provide overnight lodging, dinner, breakfast, and food for packing lunches for the guests.  The churches rotate the housing with each providing one week’s lodging.  During our week volunteers set up and take down beds, provide meals, serve them and stay as overnight hosts.  We currently have four other churches helping and one week’s hosting will typically involve 60 – 75 volunteers.  During the day the guests return to the IHN Day Center 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 two 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. as well as needed transportation to the host churches.  Bus tokens are also available.

This is a practical application of our Christian faith and volunteers are always needed to help set up or take down, to provide food, to set tables and serve dinner, and to stay with the guests as overnight hosts.  For more information, or to volunteer to help, you can contact Gerald or Harriet Bennett or the minister.