Outreach Ministry -
Interfaith Hospitality Network(IHN)
| † What is Interfaith Hospitality Network? |
What is Interfaith Hospitality Network?
The mission of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line (IHNML) is to temporarily house people in a caring environment and to support them in accessing community resources including childcare, education, employment and permanent housing. There are 25 religious communities participating in the IHNML: 11 host congregations and 14 support congregations. St. Katharine’s is a host congregation.
Their efforts provide shelter, meals and assistance for three to five host families (up to 14 persons). The families stay with the host congregation for a one week period with approximately 11 weeks between a hosting effort. Social service agencies screen and refer guests to IHN. Individuals with substance abuse or psychiatric problems are not accepted in the program.
Participating congregations furnish sleeping quarters and a hospitality room where guests relax, socialize, do homework and watch television. The host congregation provides the evening meal, breakfast and a bag lunch. In the morning, guests return to the day center in Norristown. From there, children go to school and adults care for young children or to look for jobs or housing.
What are volunteers asked to do?
Volunteer commitment is essential. Program volunteers perform a variety of tasks necessary to provide a safe and comfortable home for our guests. As a host congregation, St. Katharine’s Parish needs volunteers to prepare meals, serve as evening, overnight and weekend hosts, coordinate activities, organize supplies and assist guests as needed. Although most hosts are adults, youth (12 and older) can participate as well, particularly with arranging activities for younger children and helping our older guest children with homework.
Volunteer efforts are needed in the following major areas:
† Dinner Preparers – Dinner is a hot meal and usually includes a salad, main course with vegetable, and dessert. Meals are brought to the Parish Center at 5:00 PM.
† Dinner Hosts – (5:00 – 8:30 PM). Two volunteers are needed to help serve a buffet style dinner meal. Dinner hosts eat with the guests, and participate with guests in the after-meal cleanup. After dinner,
hosts participate in children’s activities, help with homework, and socialize with our guests.
† Overnight Hosts - (8:30 PM – 7:00 AM). Two hosts are again needed. Cots are provided. Hosts usually bring their own bedding, sleeping bag and pillows. Guests arise about 5:30 AM and must be ready to leave at 6:30 AM after a light breakfast. They may sleep later on the weekend.
† Supplies – Volunteers are needed to purchase to either purchase and/or coordinate donations of food staples, paper products, sleeping supplies, and other items (reimbursement is provided)
† Laundry – After each host week, several volunteers wash the bed linens, towels and wash clothes.
† Setup and Takedown – Volunteer teams setup the Parish Center Sunday afternoon and help take down and move the beds the following Sunday.
† Transportation – Volunteers transport the beds and personal property as well as the guests to the next host congregation.
† Emergency Volunteers – These are people who might be ready to serve on short notice. Situations might arise where a dinner or overnight host may have to cancel at the last minute, or where a guest may need some help with transportation.
How is IHN organized?
St. Katharine’s IHN program has a Primary Coordinator and Associate Coordinators for the volunteer efforts described above.
| † Primary Coordinators: Chris Mottes 610-585-8324 Patty Hicks 610-688-1673 |
| † Associate Coordinator: Patty Hicks |
| † Host Coordinator: Chris Mottes |
| † Meal Coordinator: Mary Strelis |
| † Supplies: Marlene Gulczynski |
| † Setup: Jeanne Braun |
| † Laundry: Becky Broderick |
| † Transportation: Charlie Fagan |
The 11 hosting congregations are:
† Beth Davis Synagogue, Gladwyne
† Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr
† Central Baptist Church, Wayne
† Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr
† Foundation for Islamic Education, Villanova
† Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, Bryn Mawr
† St. John Neumann Church, Bryn Mawr
† St. Katharine of Siena Church, Wayne
† St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Ardmore
† St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Rosemont
† Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne
There are 14 supporting congregations that assist the host congregations in their efforts.
IHN Headquarters:
Network Headquarters
1449 DeKalb Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-277-0977
Carole Marchand, Executive Director
To obtain more information about IHN or to volunteer, please contact Chris Mottes, (610) 585-8324. Thank you for your interest in this important and rewarding ministry.