DECEMBER 5, 2010

IHN MISSION

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Northern Kentucky is a non-profit cooperative endeavor between the religious community, volunteers and social service agencies committed to providing cost effective living and comprehensive services for homeless children and their families during temporary homelessness enabling them to regain their independence.

What Makes IHN Unique?

• IHN is the only agency in Northern Kentucky where every guest family stays together regardless of the children’s age.
• Without IHN, families are forced to split up with older boys going to foster care, dads going to one agency and moms and little ones going to another.
• The IHN program is 98% volunteer driven—allowing your contributions to go directly to the help of the guest families.

Service Statistics ~ 2009
Number of Families Served………………………….….29
Number of People Served…………………………..….104
Number of Children Under 18 Served……………..68
Average Length of Stay…………………..………41 Days
Average Cost to Provide Service…….…$49.41/Day
Shelter Units (24 hr. periods per person)….4,261
Meals Served……………………………………………..12,619
Success as Measured By:
Permanent Housing Attained…………..……..48%
Maintained or Increased Income……….…..69%
Number of Host Churches………………………………..10
Number of Support Churches…………………………..45
Number of Volunteers………………….…...Over 1,000

Here at our parish we are blessed to be a HOST parish and our PSR program loves to serve.  So we assist with setup/take down since this occurs during our PSR session.  On December 5th the Eighth graders helped set up and prepare for the families arrivals.  Our Second graders prepared their fruit basket as usual.  This was a busy day because many of the grades were receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation as well.

Our Reconciliation Service  was titled "GIVE US ADVENT HEARTS."

 

Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus. It is a time for Christians to reflect upon what they can share with others in return for all the gifts God has given them, especially the gift of Jesus.  Our culture offers a different message, however. It says: think about all the things you want, make lists, and make demands.  There is no place for the babe born in Bethlehem in this scenario.  There is only place for our greedy selves.

We have to make a special effort with our children during Advent to direct them away from selfish receiving to unselfish giving.  Most of them need very little, but many in our world are in great need, This service directs children to reflect on the needs of others, and it suggest that they can best prepare for Jesus' birthday by reaching out to those in need.  For those waiting to receive the sacrament they made Christmas cards for the families. 

After the prayer service Mrs. Bailey was so thankful and we had enough to place on each bed and all through out the convent.  So no matter where these families were they knew that the love of Christ filled this parish.

Doors leading to dining area where the families eat.

Cards in the dining area.

Kitchen - more cards for the families to read!

A card placed on each bed - what a surprise!