In 2006, Rochester Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN), an interfaith organization, had another successful year helping homeless families renew their lives by supporting them with food, shelter, personalized case management, and a broad network of caring volunteers. The programs we offer have made a world of difference to our guest families.

Some of our accomplishments since opening are:

• Hosted 275 overnight guests comprised of 91 families (up more than 40% from last year)

• Arranged employment for 39 people and enrolled 21 people in college or vocational courses

• Base of trained volunteers has grown 33% this past year, now over 1,200 strong

• Grew our network of faith communities to a total of 35 congregations

• Bed nights and meals served – Grand total is now 10,400 bed nights and 31,300 meals served

RAIHN is among the most cost-efficient agencies in Monroe County that support homeless families. Their “graduates” have maintained a 96.9% rate of continued independence!

CAN YOU HELP! – Every once in a while, some one has a donation for RAIHN that is too large to transport in a regular car. RAIHN does have a storage space for donations. If you have access to a truck and would be willing to transport large items to the storage area from time to time, please let Monika Andrews know.

On Labor Day weekend 2006, we were privileged again to host more families. Forty-five volunteers participated this time; some of them more than one shift. The number of volunteer hours was about 340! Most of the volunteers are very busy people, but squeezed in the time to devote to this very worthwhile program. Homelessness is still a major problem in the Rochester community,; shelters are available, but there are not enough slots, especially for families. RAIHN provides shelter for families with children.

This time we had one large family from Peru, with children age 17, 15, 15, and 1. The father has been working, as well as two daughters, but with their level of income it has been difficult to find a home. We rejoice with them as they finish over four months with the program; they will have moved into their own apartment by the time you read this.

Another family was planning to relocate in Rochester and enroute was robbed. Mom already has a job, and Dad is very willing to work as soon as he gets a vehicle so he can get to construction jobs. Their children are 4, 3 and 8 months. The family is now in its own apartment. Another family just came to us on the Friday of our rotation. We don’t know much of their story, but they told us that they were walking the streets for four days before someone led them to RAIHN.

We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to serve families such as these . If you are interested in helping, please contact Diane Phillips or Monika Andrews – we always need more people!

Thanks to all who donated wash cloths and towels for the program. We are well stocked now!

During the week of February 12, 2006. we hosted a total of three families, by providing shelter and meals at Incarnate Word. During that week we even celebrated little Joshua’s second birthday. It took 42 different volunteers and over 330 volunteer hours during that week alone to accomplish this. Kudos to Incarnate Word and Messiah volunteers who are very loyal to this outreach project. If you want to become a part of this important outreach ministry, let Monika Andrews or Diane Phillips know.

May 4, 2005, marked the first anniversary dinner for RAIHN, and some 270 guests celebrated. Our theme was "Bringing Faiths Together, Keeping Families Together." As well as a wonderful meal and a silent auction, several key people spoke.

Jackie, a "graduate" guest in the program, gave an emotionally charged witness to how much the program meant for her and her family. Erica Vera, director for RAIHN, addressed the issue of how the program has helped break stereotypes of the homeless for all of the 700 volunteers involved in this area. Karen Olson, Founder of IHN talked about the origins of IHN. While on her way to work one day, she no longer could ignore the homeless woman who touched her hand after Karen gave her something to eat. One thing led to another. There are now 110 active networks in 35 states, with 100,00 volunteers participating.

We embarked on our fifth rotation on May 22, and Incarnate Word is gratified to be a participant in this worthwhile project. More than 40 volunteers from our church plus some from our supporting congregation, Messiah Lutheran, participate during each rotation, with at least 270 hours per rotation. To us, RAIHN families are not "those people from RAIHN", but honored guests that we serve just as if Jesus had come to call.

We continue to seek more volunteers. Training is available. It isn't hard at all. Call Monika Andrews or Diane Phillips, your coordinators from Incarnate Word. Our next time to host is the week of August 14, and we need YOU!!!

Ongoing Needs: 

Ø    Strong men (or women) who would like to help move families who have graduated from the program into their new housing.  A truck and a driver are available, but we need movers

Ø    Furniture and household donations

Ø    Job opportunities:  email Barbara Cowen at bcowan@raihn.org

Ø    Mentors:  to provide support and a sense of community to graduated families, keep info for grants.  Minimum contact with families once a month;

Ø    Van drivers – for an hour in AM or PM.
 

A Week in the Life of the Interfaith Hospitality Network
Sunday, May 16, 2004, following some two years of planning and anticipation, Incarnate Word welcomed its first guests. We greeted Veronica and David and their wonderful three children, Latoya, Tatianna and Thomas who arrived by van about 2 p.m. Besides the five of them, we unloaded all of the beds for the entire program, square plastic totes for each guest, plus some other personal luggage. Everything was transported to the second floor (Thank God for the elevator!). The beds were inflated in a few minutes by electricity, made up with donated sheets, donated towels, lamps and alarm clocks were given. It took awhile to get settled in! Gradually, the family members came downstairs to the fellowship hall. They received an orientation to our facility, what to do in case of fire etc. We played games (as prearranged, we shared the Community Arts Academy's games) and did crafts (items were also donated), had a simple supper. By 8:30 p.m., our guests were ready for bed. At the same time, our overnight volunteers arrived, with little to do but be there. They had an uneventful night, by 6 AM everyone was up, a quick breakfast was provided, and the van arrived by 7 a.m. to take them to the Day Center.

Monday, Monika received a call from the Director: another family is joining the Network. This time, a mom and her 6 month old baby. Monika informed the volunteers of the change. Another bed was inflated, crib set up, and voila, we were ready. Tanya and Ashley arrived with the rest of the guests at 5 p.m., and another evening began: We found out that our guests appreciated their little bit of privacy when they first returned to our church, then gradually came back down to the fellowship hall for dinner. By 8:30-9 p.m., everyone has gone upstairs to bed again. The next day, Monika received yet another phone call: another mom, Diane and baby Heavenly have been admitted to the program. Again, Monika calls and e-mails volunteers of the change, sets up another bed and crib. By 5 p.m., the cycle starts all over again. By this time, David has a job and he arrives back at church on his own steam by around 7 p.m.- the volunteers save supper for him every night. There were no more new guests for the rest of the week. Friday night was a bit more relaxed re bed time. Saturday was also different. A volunteer from Messiah (our support congregation) arrived with breakfast already made, and it was served later in the morning. At 10 a.m. the van took them to the Day Center, where IW volunteers stayed with them until 4 p.m., at which time they returned to our own church. More volunteers from Messiah came to cook dinner that night. Sunday morning was really different. Most everyone got up around 6:30. They all finished packing up their belongings, took off their sheets etc, deflated their bed, rolled them up to put into their pouches. We had to get the rooms ready for Sunday School! Then everything was carted downstairs to the basement corridor by elevator. It was way too much stuff for the handicapped entrance. What a job! Lots of lifting and pulling, but everyone helped. We finally sat down to a pancake breakfast prepared by a friend of Messiah Church. Then the guests came to Worship with us, after which they hung out in the Fellowship Hall until the van arrived. We loaded everybody and everything up and bid a sad goodbye. We will miss our new friends. Perhaps we'll see them in August, when we host again.

40 different volunteers from Incarnate Word, plus 6 from Messiah worked during the week, some more than once. Many hours of prep work was done by the coordinators of volunteers and of meals and the "laundry" lady. I cannot thank you all enough for making this program run so smoothly. I love you all. If you would like to be part of this ministry, please contact Monika Andrews or Diane Phillips.
 

Homelessness can seem to be an overwhelming problem.  Many people wonder what one person or one’s congregation can do to truly make a difference. Over a year ago, many churches were contracted regarding this new program to help homeless families in the Rochester area. It features housing these families in a network of our congregations' buildings. This program already exists successfully in 100 communities across the U.S.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network provides a way for religious congregations to work together to help homeless families.  Each congregation participating in the Network provides overnight lodging and meals for three to five families (up to fourteen people) for one week every four months on a rotating basis.  Homeless families, or guests, stay at the church or synagogue from 6:00 p.m. to 7 :00 a.m. daily.  Each morning, guests are taken by a van to a day center where they meet with the Network director, care for the preschool children, look for housing and employment, or go out to school or work.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network enables religious congregations to meet important basic need of homeless families, who represent the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.  Usually, more than half the guests in the Network are children, and most of the children are less than five years old.  Nationally, more than 2,000 congregations participate in Interfaith Hospitality Networks - where many thousands of volunteers help families regain their independence.

Volunteers are the foundation of the Network.  There are many ways that you can help.  As a volunteer, whether you prepare a hot meal, read to or tutor a child, help a parent write a resume, or stay overnight with guests, you will make a difference in the lives of families that have suffered the loss of their homes.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network fits in very well with our Mission Statement.  Our congregation is exploring ways we can participate in this important ministry.  The options are being a host church (actually housing the guests), or being a support church (providing volunteers to a host church).  Think about this prayerfully and be alert to more information through the Scroll, Sunday bulletins, Forums, or bulletin boards.

The RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Network) is formally organized:

1. Incorporated with New York State;
2. Board of Directors formed;
3. 501c3 status (not-for-profit) letter received from IRS;
4. Fund-raising /Development Consultant hired;
5. Pro bono bookkeeper and marketing and strategy consultant secured;

A day center where families will stay during the day has been secured, and a van has been ordered. Interviews for a Director are underway. Anticipated start up is January 2004. Congregations are not mandated to provide any money except what is necessary when the families are hosted for that week four times a year.

RAIHN launched on April 25, 2004, at Bethel Full Gospel Church.

Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network