To provide overnight accommodations, meals, and comprehensive counseling to homeless families with children who are willing to participate in a self-sufficiency model. The guest of our Network work towards self-sufficiency through goals, educational opportunities and mentoring. Guests save 80% of income while in the Network, attend Budgeting, Parenting and Life Skills classes - Fast Track GED tutoring / completion are available as well as Resume writing, employment and housing search. During the daytime hours guests are working on weekly goals and engaging in Life Skills classes at our Day Center located at 1449 Dekalb Street in Norristown. Each family receives one on one counseling in all areas to build a firm foundation for families to succeed. In the evening the guests are in one of ten designated host congregations in the Main Line. Volunteers from all walks of life give of their time their talent and their love to families providing a network of support for the future

Upon completion of the program, families are assigned specially trained Mentors who work with them for two years after they leave the Network. We believe that education, vocational training, and partnerships with all agency's are the key to success - IHN-Main Line has an 80% success rate of participants

Description:
Mission Statement

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line consists of hundreds of dedicated people of faith who answer affirmatively the biblical question,
"Am I My Brother's Keeper?"

History:
National Interfaith Hospitality Network is run by and started with founder Karen Olsen of New Jersey.

While visiting New York on a business trip she meet a homeless women and helping the homeless has since become a passion for her.

She had a vision to put together churches and synagogues to house the homeless. She established a Day Center for the homeless to spend the day time hours so they would have a base for finding housing, employment or what other services were needed. In short time, many communities contacted her to help them develop the same model. The National IHN began developing IHN Networks around the country - to date there are 114 Networks in 33 states around the country. They are now known as Family Promise, to encompass all levels of advocacy and assistance for families.

Contact people:

Carole Marchand, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Tasha Overton, Admin. Asst., (phone), (email)

Office fax number: Fax# 610-277 9263

Address:

1449 DeKalb Street Norristown, PA 19401 (See a map)

Web Site: http://IHNCares.org

Directions:

Take 202 North. Cross Fornance St. We are in the next block on the left   Nearest Bus Stop: 98 Plymouth Meeting For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes

Overall Experience   
ihn has brought a new awareness of families in crisis

i work with the las vegas ihn group and see families making it back into mainstream society by the dedication and hard work of this cities volunteers in this program. the greatest joy is to see the difference it creates for children of our families and the hope which is sparked in the parents eyes when they see that people do care and want to help. what a program! posted by sigrid on June 29, 2003