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Southbridge Interfaith Hospitality Network Created in 2001, this network of 13 churches in rural central Massachusetts, with only one full time employee and hundreds of volunteers, provides food, shelter, clothing, advocacy, counseling, and moral support to temporarily homeless families in our communities. Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Sturbridge is proud to be one of the host churches participating in and supporting this program. Guests are comprised of families with children, often single parents who find themselves in a temporarily homeless situation. Most often referred by charities and assigned to a host congregation on a weekly basis; children and parents participate in structured daily schedules which ensure that kids go to school and parents go to intensive case-management sessions or jobs. At 5:00 p.m., the families reunite at the host church for dinner and overnight accommodations at the host church. Volunteers from participating congregations provide meals, child care, help with homework – whatever they can. Congregations host families for a one week period several times during the year. At the end of each week, guests are transported to the next host congregation until they successfully find a permanent home for themselves and their children. The Director advocates and coordinates, ensuring that the children are welcomed by schools, and the adults get the services they need. During the average 8 weeks it takes to find housing, guests set aside 75% of what they earn for future needs such as down payment on an apartment rental. Benefits are mutual – by opening their hearts, volunteer's instincts are awakened and families receive the vital support services needed during a critical time "Philanthropy is contagious!" they say – volunteers gain new understanding of the issue and the people, and former guests often reciprocate by becoming volunteers themselves. (Use your browser’s back button to return) |
