Agency Details:

Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network

Our mission is to empower families experiencing homelessness to regain independence by working in partnership with local congregations and community resources.

Description:
Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network is a group of local faith communities that supply housing for 3-5 families with children on a week-to-week, rotating basis. Volunteers cook the evening meals and trained volunteers stay overnight with the families in a congregation building. In the morning, the families eat breakfast in the faith community building and make a brown bag lunch.The families spend the day at work or school or meeting with a caseworker in our day center to discuss housing and employment opportunities. After work, school, or time at the day center, family members return to the faith community building for the evening meal.

History:
After several years of development, Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network opened its doors in November 2003 with 8 faith-based partners and one paid staff person. Each partner in the network provides scores of volunteers to fulfill the mission of the organization, while each congregation has the opportunity to serve those in the community in need right in the congregation's own building. Congregations that normally would have little interaction are working together as partners to provide this important service to families. No preaching is permitted, but volunteers are able to demonstrate their faith commitment through the example of their good deeds. In 2008, Seacoast IHN has 3 paid staff, more than 400 volunteers, and 17 congregations involved, but more are needed.

Contact person: Pati Frew-Waters, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (603) 658-8447

Address:

P.O. Box 233, 6 Emery Lane Stratham, NH 03885

Web Site: http://www.sihnnh.org

Directions:

We are located in the Stratham Community Church, off route 108 near the Stratham circle and across from the NHSPCA.

Miscellaneous Information

Name of Executive Director (or equivalent) if not listed above:
	Pati Frew-Waters
Type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)3
Is your organization a Health and Human Service agency?
	Yes

Last updated on November 15, 2009