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Interfaith Hospitality Network
A
mother loses her job, a father is kept from working by an injury, a family is
forced from their home by fire or natural disaster. Healthcare costs soar,
public transportation is underfunded, affordable housing is almost impossible to
find. These are the reasons why families now make up 40 percent of the homeless
population, and why one out of every four homeless people is a child.
In
response to this crisis, the Interfaith Hospitality Network brings the faith
community together to help families regain their housing, their independence,
and their dignity. IHN is a partnership of congregations within a community
helping families who are facing homelessness. It offers an opportunity for
volunteers of all faiths to reduce homelessness and transform lives.
Interfaith Hospitality Networks are currently operating in 39 states and the
District of Columbia, in large cities, suburbs, and rural counties. They
mobilize community resources: houses of worship for lodging, congregations for
volunteers, social service agencies for assessment and referrals, and existing
facilities for day programs. This strategy enables networks to help homeless
families achieve lasting independence at a third of the cost of traditional
shelters.
Nationally, 80 percent of the families that IHNs serve go on to long-term
housing. In 2007, Family Promise affiliates served more than 31,000 children and
adults and involved more than 120,000 volunteers in 5,000 congregations. And
now, Broadway is pleased to be part of IHN, via, Family Promise of Blount County. |