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What is it? |
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It is a grassroots, non-profit, community
based, multi-program social service agency.
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What is the mission? |
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The mission of MCIHN is
to provide shelter, meals and assistance for homeless families with
children through a network of more than 13 faith congregations.
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| How does it work? |
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Host Congregations provide overnight
lodging, meals (supper, breakfast and a sack lunch),
and hospitality for three to five families for one week.
Volunteers provide meals, fellowship
with the guests and stay overnight. There are approximately 30-50
volunteers at each congregation.
Local Social Service Providers refer guests
to the Network. They also assist the guests
with obtaining housing, employment,
government entitlements and other services.
The Day Center is housed at Conroe
Family YMCA. Guests can shower, care for children,
look for housing and attend to their personal affairs. The
Center also services as a mailing address for the guests.
Transportation is provided by a MCIHN
van than transports guests to and from the Host Congregation,
to social service agencies, to work and to school.
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| Who are our guests? |
Our guests are homeless Montgomery County
families with children. They are families that have been referred
by existing social service agencies and screened and counseled by a MCIHN
salaried professional social worker.
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| How can you help? |
 | Donate money to a Host Congregation in the network |
| Volunteer to help at a Host Congregation |
| Ask your church to join the network as a Host Congregation |
| Ask your church to join the network as a support church |
| Donate money to the Montgomery County Interfaith Hospitality Network
by sending a check:
Payable to: MCIHN
%Tom Butz, Treasurer
22 Broad Cove Drive
Montgomery, TX 77356
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What churches are saying about the
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) |
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"Through IHN our church
has witnessed the scripture verse from Hebrews 13:2 come alive: 'Do not
neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have
entertained angels without knowing it'."
"IHN has involved more
people than any other program in our church. It has stirred some people
who had not been active before, as well as drawn the participation of new
members. We’re a small church, and it takes about half our congregation
to host. People feel, ‘Here’s something that I can do. it’s
concrete. This is something the church ought to be doing’."
"Through IHN, thousands
of Jews and Christians have put their religious beliefs to work to
shelter, feed, and counsel the homeless. And we have become their
advocates, urging our elected officials to fund housing programs that will
get the needy on their feet. IHN is religion at its best."
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What participating families are saying |
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"IHN saved my life.
Without it, I don’t know what my children and I would have done.
Everyone makes you feel welcome, while still respecting your privacy. It’s
just wonderful having a place you can call ‘home'."
"IHN helped me keep my
family together and my children in school. I was able to save money and
find an apartment. Now my wife and I volunteer in IHN."
"Virtually all who work
with IHN are volunteers who take time out of their own personal lives to
help people. They do their best to make us comfortable, warm and well fed.
The day center allows us to get the kind of assistance we need to find
places to live, get to doctor appointments and meet personal needs. I don’t
know what my family and I would have done if it hadn’t been for IHN."
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| Isaiah 58:6-8 |
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"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of
wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And
that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to
share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the
poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not
hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your
light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth
speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the
Lord shall be your rear guard. |
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