Interfaith Housing Network at  Holy Trinity

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the space requirements for the program?

Three rooms are needed for up to three families. Typically these are the rooms used for educational purposes. The rooms can be used for education one morning a week, but the rooms should be unused the rest of the week. Families are not in the congregation’s building during the day. A few other rooms are needed (such as a kitchen), but do not need to be designated exclusively for the families.

What types of families are served?

Families served by the Inter-Faith Hospitality Network are not the stereotypical homeless person. They are families with children. They are not chronically homeless. Extensive interviews are conducted before a family is considered. Typically their homelessness is due to a job loss or a relationship brake up. If their family and friends could keep them longer they would. This could be the worst crisis of their lives.

What do the families do for bathing?

Most congregations do not have bathing facilities. The Day Facility will provide the families a place to go when not at work and will have suitable bathing facilities. We will also be talking with the local YMCA about letting us use their showers in the evening.
What do the families do for bedding?

Inter-Faith will provide the sheets and towels for the families as the move in to the program. Volunteers launder these linens, but families are expected to do their personal laundry. Inter-Faith will also provide cots for the families and for the overnight volunteers.

How many volunteers are needed to staff the program?

This is often the single largest volunteer opportunity for a congregation. Typically, a congregation will have an average of 75 different volunteers active during the month. What is attractive about this program is that many people who are not able to participate in other programs can be involved in this one. Volunteers are not asked for an open-ended commitment. They are asked to be involved for one month a year doing specific tasks on specific days. The types of thing they are asked to do are things they are already comfortable with. They are asked to cook supper, drive someone to work, or stay overnight in their congregation’s building.

This seems like a lot of effort for few families.

Serving families is best done with some private space. Families who come into this program would never consider putting their children in one big room with a row of beds. Concentrating our work with a few families gives those families a great likelihood of returning to independent living.

Have congregations in you current Network repeated?

Congregations in the Ambler Network have all repeated their involvement year after year. Congregations are only making a one-year at a time commitment, but many have done so for over ten years.

What is the commitment process?

There are four steps before a congregation is able to join the Inter-Faith Hospitality Network. First a meeting and tour with the Pastor/Rabbi is conducted. The Pastor or Rabbi refers Inter-Faith to the appropriate committee, which would help to facilitate the program. If after their consideration it seems like a good match, they refer to the Executive Committee. If that committee feels the program would work, they permit a presentation to the congregation. The congregation fills out a questionnaire to determine if they should join.

What if a congregation wants to be involved, but is unable to host the families in their building?

There are many ways for a congregation and its volunteers to be involved. For example, A congregation could send volunteers to another congregation if they are short of volunteers. More information about this will come once our Host Congregations have been selected.

Is building damage a concern?

While there is some wear and tear, building damage is not a problem.

Is there additional insurance needed for the program?

The Inter-Faith Housing Alliance has general liability insurance for the volunteers from the congregations.

How about phone use?

Access to a phone is needed for outgoing local calls and incoming calls from volunteers, prospective employers, or landlords.

Is it true that most of the families do not have cars?

Many of the families do not have cars when they come into this situation. The cars that families do have are often on their last legs.

What kind of budget is needed for the program?

The Host congregation provides items for breakfast and lunch. The budget for this expense runs about $650 depending on the number of people in the Network at that time. We are also asking congregations to consider supporting the program from their annual budget.

How is smoking handled?

Each congregation designates an outside smoking area.

What about medical emergencies?

Families are expected to utilize their own health coverage and physician when needed. If there were some catastrophic need an ambulance service should be called via “911”

Are there any supportive programs for the families?

Each family receives budget counseling, case management, parenting assistance, and family counseling. There is also a group meeting each week to maintain the program.

Are volunteers permitted to share their faith?

There are many different congregations that are part of a Hospitality Network. We wish to demonstrate God’s love for the families each time we come to help them. We are not in a position to make them a Baptist or a Methodist. Families are invited to worship at the host is they wish.

What about schooling?

Families are permitted to maintain their children in their school of origin. If need they may enroll in the local school.