114 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-798-6732
FAX: 508-798-8286
ihnworcester@verizon.net

Where people of faith work together to support families that are homeless throughout the greater Worcester area.

Mission Statement

The Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc. (IHN) is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with religious congregations to provide shelter, support and assistance to families with children who are homeless, regardless of income and family structure. IHN seeks to promote self-sufficiency through the provision of meals and beds, intensive case management, housing advocacy, caring support and encouragement of responsible decisions. IHN further seeks to build public awareness of homelessness and the affordable housing crisis that exists in our communities.

Vision

We believe the religious community has a vital mission to minister to those in need in this community. We believe that helping in not some special skill, but a joyful mandate. By providing shelter, meals and comprehensive assistance to families who are homeless, we can become catalysts for community change.

History of Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester

In the early 1980's, the Worcester Area Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless (WAICH) was formed in response to the homeless crisis. Leaders from many congregations began fund raising to assist homeless and sheltering programs. WAICH's first project was to help organize the funding for Youville II, a family shelter located at Catholic Charities. A year later, WAICH led the funding drive for Oasis House, a rest home for mentally ill adults who were homeless. The next project was to fund a transitional housing program that was administered by Worcester Common Ground.

In the spring of 1994, the WAICH board considered a proposal to engage congregations in hands-on homeless ministry where congregations would act as host sites providing shelter and hospitality to families that were homeless. The National Interfaith Hospitality Network was used as the model. The Board embraced the idea. WAICH disbanded and the Greater Worcester IHN was born.

Over the next three years, an ad hoc group met regularly to implement the program. In 1995, the YMCA of Greater Worcester agreed to become the fiscal agent and the lead organization. The YMCA provided staff and space. The advisory group solicited host congregations, dealt with insurance issues, municipal ordinances, and worked closely with the national IHN headquarters in New Jersey; utilizing their invaluable expertise to get the Greater Worcester IHN started.

By the summer of 1997, three years of funding grants were secured from the family foundations of Worcester. Contributions from individuals and faith communities throughout Worcester were received and enough host sites were onboard to launch the Greater Worcester IHN.

In 1997, a long and difficult debate ensued over whether the Greater Worcester IHN should be under the umbrella of the YMCA or go off on its own as an independent non-profit organization. The foundations recommended remaining with the YMCA, so as not to have another non-profit seeking funds. Some of the early leaders wanted to remain with the YMCA because its organization was large enough to absorb the initial bumps in the road. Other leaders wanted to retain independence. It was decided to remain with the YMCA where it did so until 2002. It was around this time that the name was changed to The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester.

In 2002, due to budgetary cuts at the YMCA, IHN of Greater Worcester was taken under the wing of a new fiscal agent, Friendly House, Worcester. IHN relocated its day center to Wesley United Methodist Church on Main Street, Worcester where it continues its invaluable services to families.

May 2006