The fastest growing segment of the homeless population in Travis County is families. Through bad breaks, bad choices or just plain bad luck, more and more parents and their children are finding themselves living on the streets — living without help and without hope.
One program that’s been helping solve the problem of homeless families is the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). Since 1989, this nationwide effort now includes over 60 Austin area churches. Some of these churches are “host congregations,” who for 1 week every 3 months provide shelter, food and fellowship for 3-4 homeless families at a time. Other “support congregations” assist host churches by providing volunteers and supplies.
While enrolled in the IHN program, families receive a variety of counseling and social services provided by the Foundation for the Homeless and other organizations. The success rate is truly inspiring: over 70% of families who come through the IHN program find permanent housing. Without IHN, many of those same parents and their children would still be on the street or split apart at shelters.
As a support congregation, OSL needs your help in providing meals and evening fellowship to families staying at a nearby host church. It’s a terrific opportunity for you and your whole family to help make a big difference in another family’s future — the time commitment is small, but the rewards can last a lifetime.
The fastest growing segment of the homeless population in Travis County is families. Through bad breaks, bad choices or just plain bad luck, more and more parents and their children are finding themselves living on the streets — living without help and without hope.
One program that’s been helping solve the problem of homeless families is the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). Since 1989, this nationwide effort now includes over 60 Austin area churches. Some of these churches are “host congregations,” who for 1 week every 3 months provide shelter, food and fellowship for 3-4 homeless families at a time. Other “support congregations” assist host churches by providing volunteers and supplies.
While enrolled in the IHN program, families receive a variety of counseling and social services provided by the Foundation for the Homeless and other organizations. The success rate is truly inspiring: over 70% of families who come through the IHN program find permanent housing. Without IHN, many of those same parents and their children would still be on the street or split apart at shelters.
As a support congregation, OSL needs your help in providing meals and evening fellowship to families staying at a nearby host church. It’s a terrific opportunity for you and your whole family to help make a big difference in another family’s future — the time commitment is small, but the rewards can last a lifetime.