Who We Are
In the Hour of Need Family Shelter (IHN) works in partnership with the faith community, groups, and area volunteers to provide shelter and assistance to families with children who are experiencing homelessness. The program’s primary goals are to assist families in increasing their income and to help them secure permanent housing, while providing the critical support services necessary for them to succeed. In addition to IHN staff, these support services involve approximately 1000 volunteers that come from congregations, and the community at large. Our program gives people the opportunity to become involved, to put their beliefs into action by providing hands-on mission work in their own community and to make a difference in the lives of families who are desperately in need.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester’s Youth Group gathers at IHN for an outreach afternoon. They cleaned out and organized the shelter’s 3-bay garage, full of furniture donations. (Please check in with the director at IHN before bringing any donations!!)
OUR MISSION
Working in partnership with its member religious congregations, volunteer groups and individuals, In the Hour of Need Family Shelter (IHN) promotes self-sufficiency by providing temporary shelter, supplies, and housing advocacy services to families with children who are experiencing homelessness regardless of income and family structure.
“By providing comprehensive assistance and loving support to families who are homeless, IHN can act as a catalyst for community change.”
Who We Are
Staff
Sheri Linn
Program Director
“Sheri, a western MA native, is a graduate of Hartford Seminary and Baypath University who holds degrees in Christian Education and Organizational Psychology. She worked for the United Church of Christ for ten years as a Sunday School Superintendent; writing curriculum for Sunday mornings, Vacation Bible School and recruiting volunteer involvement.
After four miserable years in a corporate job, Sheri rejoined the non-profit world at IHN; first through volunteering at her current congregation and now as Program Director responsible for the coordination of time, talent and treasures contributed by the beloved community.
Sheri and her partner Sean live just around the corner from IHN with their 11 year old house panther, Sherlock. In her free time, Sheri contributes to the community as current President of the Board of Management at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester. She enjoys reading, Legos, coffee and rollercoasters.”
Pricilla Billinger
Case Manager
“Pricilla assists our families in their search for employment, along with helping them develop budgeting, parenting, and advocacy skills.”
Pat Curtis
Shelter Staff
Lauren Aquino
Development Director
“Raised in the south, Lauren has been
a transplant to New England for the last 20 years. While she hates winter, she loves Massachusetts and the feeling of community here. Prior to working with non-profit organizations, Lauren spent her career in politics as a lobbyist, campaign consultant and fundraiser. With a Political Science degree, she insists this makes her a scientist.
At IHN, Lauren works closely with our Advisory Board on fundraising, communications and community outreach. She is responsible for individual fundraising and events, grant writing, and publicly advocates for homeless families.
As a mother of two boys, Lauren has learned the real luxury of life is getting to sleep in. ”
Kerry Doyle
Shelter Staff
advisory BOARD
“IHN keeps families together and helps lift them up. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to help people in real time by just showing respect and kindness, being a friend and just listening if needed. And who doesn’t like reading to or playing with children?”
Liz Gustavson
Vice-Chairperson
“I joined the board to continue serving homeless families and bring professional roles to help grow the ministry of IHN”
Kristen Billiar
Board Member
“I absolutely love coming over to the IHN house with my family and getting to know the guests, especially playing games with the kids. It’s brought me so much joy to me and my family. I’m so proud of the IHN staff, volunteers, and donors who provide such a valuable resource for the most vulnerable in the community.”
John Owansian
Secretary
Kim Eaton
Treasurer
Ed Romeo
Board Member, House Chairperson
“I became involved with IHN as a volunteer through my employer, Country Bank. After spending time there, I knew I wanted to do more to help the families and this organization that I have come to love. ”
“This is a home; not what people envision when they hear "shelter". I help maintain the beautiful house. It gives me great joy to get to know the families and help them while they're struggling, even if it's just to have a conversation or replace a broken lightbulb.”
CHARTER BOARD
The work of IHN is supported by our Charter Board, which consists of two volunteers from each member of our supporting network of congregations and up to ten “at large” volunteers. Our Charter Board members act in advisory capacity for the organization and provide general support to our Advisory Board as it relates to strategic program goals and activities. They also serve as ambassadors for IHN within their congregations, undertaking such activities as disseminating information about IHN and housing in Worcester, helping to provide leadership and support for our fundraising activities, and spearheading ad hoc committees. The Charter Board meets twice per year, in the spring and fall. We welcome expressions of interest in serving on the Charter Board; contact our Development Director for more information.
More than 900 volunteers from our member congregations and the greater
community provide nearly 5,000 hours per year of coverage at the house.
Our History
This is why we do what we do! A smile on a child’s face during tough times makes our work all the more meaningful..
IHN of Greater Worcester first opened its doors in November 1997, with the YMCA of Greater Worcester as the fiscal agent for the program. The YMCA provided space for the program staff and daytime facilities for the guests. Families spent their evenings housed at the different congregations in the network. All Saints Church on Irving Street, Worcester was the first congregation to host IHN guests.
In 2002, IHN of Greater Worcester was taken under the wing of a new fiscal agent, Friendly House Inc. IHN relocated its day center and administrative offices to Wesley United Methodist Church on Main Street, Worcester. For the next 9 years, over 34 greater Worcester congregations hosted families overnight at their respective sites for one to two weeks at a time throughout those years.
In 2009, IHN decided to find and purchase a permanent location for the families, so they would not experience the weekly disruption of moving from congregation to congregation throughout the year. We started the lengthy process of finding a permanent location. IHN ran a capital campaign throughout 2011 and 2012 in order to secure funds for the down payment and other associated costs for purchasing a large home at 91 June Street, Worcester.
After, supporters of IHN volunteered countless hours in renovating and furnishing the June Street house, and families moved in during November of 2012. The June Street house allowed IHN to increase the number of families served from four to six and increase overall capacity from 14 to as many as 26. Equally important, the house was able to accommodate staff and daytime facilities. Staff, families, and volunteers can now all work together in our beautiful home in support of our guests.
In 2021, the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester began undergoing a name change to In the Hour of Need Family Shelter. Our volunteer community helped us brainstorm and select the new name which better distinguishes who we are and our mission.