IHN Shelter Program
How It Works
We utilize community resources (local congregations and volunteers) to provide overnight lodging, meals, and hospitality on a rotational basis. Each congregation serves for one week at a time, approximately 4x/year.
Volunteers provide food, spend time with families, stay overnight, and drive our van. By using these volunteer resources, we are able to cut our expenses by a third. We partner with 20+ local congregations and have over 200 volunteers. If you’d like to learn more about getting your congregation involved, click here.
Our volunteers are the life of our program. They bring hope and a feeling of family to our guest families.
One graduate, Kathy, said, “Thank you, Family Promise volunteers. We appreciate your kind hearts. You have showed me a wonderful time and also helped me believe that there is a God above. We love you and God bless.”
During the day, families spend time at our Day Center. Our professional staff provide intensive case management, connect families with resources, and provide the accountability our families need in order to get back on their feet. We have computers for families to conduct housing and job searches and to work toward their other goals. We also have shower and laundry facilities as well as a kitchen so that families can take care of their basic needs day-to-day.
“I appreciate the generosity from Family Promise. You guys have truly changed my life in such a positive manner. And I can never say thank you enough.” – Jess
Changing Lives
Since opening in 2010, we have provided nearly 40,000 bed nights to local families in need of shelter and safety.
Keeping Families Together
We believe families should stay together – not be separated – during the most difficult time in their lives. 59% of the families we serve are single female-headed households. That means that the other 41% are single fathers, intact families, or “other” (typically including extending family members).
Achieving Success
About 65% of our IHN families move into stable housing directly from our program.
Engaging Volunteers
We partner with 20+ congregations with 200+ volunteers that make a positive, lasting impact in the lives of our families.
Working Smart
By partnering with local agencies, our congregations, and our volunteers, we make sure that we stretch every dollar donated as far as we can.
