Interfaith Hospitality Network
NEW COORDINATOR FOR INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY
After serving as St Monica’s coordinator for the Sussex Co Interfaith Hospitality
program since it began operating in the county in 1998, I feel it is time for a new coordinator. We at St Monica’s parish are all called to “serve” in whatever capacity we can. I have been blessed serving in this ministry and so grateful for the faithful help and support of so many people through the years. The new coordinator will be Carol Oeson.
Carol and her husband have helped with the program, so she is familiar with its operation. I know she will continue receiving help and support from the members of our parish. Thank you all and God bless you!
TERRY WESTDYKE
INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY THANK YOU!
Last week the program for temporarily housing homeless women and families was in our area. Members of our parish provided meals, acted as hosts, and slept overnight. The hosts (volunteers/helpers) that sleep overnight enable the guests to sleep in a safe, supervised environment. These helpers are doing what our faith teaches, to do for the least as Jesus would do. Many blessings and thanks to: Alyse Sciolaro, Lauren Schmittauer, Stephanie Sumpman, Barbara Mongulla, Anna Sydow, Mike Westdyke,
Louise Dente, Kathy Dyer, Carol & Bernhard Oeson, John Rovetto, and Eugene Hinksmon.
The program will again be in our area the week of January 6, 2008. So mark your calendars and consider helping with this ministry.
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The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) was created in response to the growing need to provide shelter, meals, assistance, and compassion to families without homes. Founded in 1986 in Union County, New Jersey, the program now includes nationwide over thirty Networks and over thirty thousand volunteers.
The IHN program unites the religious community in its efforts to assist the homeless. Community resources are utilized: churches and synagogues for overnight lodging, congregations for volunteers, social service agencies for family assessment and referrals, and existing facilities for day programs. Congregations participating provide overnight lodging and meals for three to five families (up to 14 people), for one week each two to three months on a rotating schedule.
Participating congregations furnish clean, safe, and private sleeping quarters as well as a hospitality room where the guests can relax, socialize, do homework, or watch television. Guests arrive between 5 and 6 PM and remain overnight. The hosting congregation provides the evening meal, breakfast, and a bag lunch each day. In the morning, guests return by van to a day center. From there children go to school and adult guests go to work or look for housing.
Volunteers provide basic human needs - shelter, safety, and sustenance - with a spirit of warmth and hospitality. Congregations become temporary 'homes' where families are treated as guests and are accepted as they are. The kindness of hosts can help alleviate the hurt and alienation of homelessness, and both volunteers and guests can grow and learn from each other.
While the IHN program cannot solve all the problems of homeless families, the support of caring people can make a traumatic time easier to cope with.
Coordinator for St Monica's: Carol Oeson, 973-875-6053Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality NetworkAnne Murphy, DirectorP O Box 154, 19 Church StreetNewton NJ 07860Phone: 973-579-1180Fax: 973-579-1307
Price: $0.00
