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Interfaith Hospitality Network
The Interfaith Hospitality Network maintains the mission,
"to temporarily house homeless people in a caring environment and support them in accessing
community resources including child care, education, transportation and jobs".
A network of Main Line community churches and synagogues work together to provide
temporary night lodging and meals for homeless women, their children, and families.
Through a weekly rotation, a church or synagogue takes the responsibility of creating
a home-like environment for approximately five homeless families. The families can
stay in the program for up to three months, while they, "set priorities and work
on [their] goals for gaining employment, childcare, an apartment, etc." Interfaith
Hospitality Network offers access to a social worker as well as a daytime training center
where individuals can gain support in finding a job and/or affordable housing. As well,
IHN provides transportation from the day center in Norristown to the hosting site in the
evening and back in the morning. Role of the Volunteer
Volunteers can come to the hosting church or synagogue and assist with setting up the lodging - beds, temporary walls, etc., with preparing or serving meals, as well as simply playing with children and spending time with the families. Volunteers are also needed to stay through the overnight. Two to three volunteers can be accommodated per shift. Hosting Congregations
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