Interfaith Hospitality Network
of the Main Line

 P.O. Box 498
Norristown, PA  19404

610.277.0977 

The Interfaith Hospitality Network maintains the mission, “to temporarily house homeless people in a caring environment and support them in accessing community resources including child care, education, transportation and jobs”.  A network of Main Line community churches and synagogues work together to provide temporary night lodging and meals for homeless women, their children, and families. Through a weekly rotation, a church or synagogue takes the responsibility of creating a home-like environment for approximately five homeless families. The families can stay in the program for up to three months, while they, “set priorities and work on [their] goals for gaining employment, childcare, an apartment, etc.” Interfaith Hospitality Network offers access to a social worker as well as a daytime training center where individuals can gain support in finding a job and/or affordable housing. As well, IHN provides transportation from the day center in Norristown to the hosting site in the evening and back in the morning. 

Hosting Congregations Include:

Ardmore Presbyterian Church, Ardmore
Beth David Synagogue, Gladwyne
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr
Central Baptist Church, Wayne
Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, Bryn Mawr
St. Katharine of Sienna, Wayne
St. John Neumann Church, Bryn Mawr
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Haverford
St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova
Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne

The service opportunities available through IHN may be of particular interest to Human Services majors and Peace and Justice minors.

Contact: Candy Shandlay, M.S.S., Executive Director, email: IHML@aol.com 

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers can come to the hosting church or synagogue and assist with setting up the lodging – beds, temporary walls, etc., with preparing or serving meals, as well as simply playing with children and spending time with the families. Volunteers are also needed to stay through the overnight. Two to three volunteers can be accommodated per shift.

 When: Monday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Shifts occur: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Saturdays often require volunteers throughout the day because the families may stay all day at the hosting site.

Call IHN in order to find out hosting congregation schedules.