FAQFAQ
2009 From the Director
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- Published on Tuesday, 04 October 2011 15:18
- Written by Super User
In 2007 the Interfaith Homeless Network began a capital campaign to construct a family day center for homeless families with children. It began with the very successful Roasting of Mayor Ron Littlefield when $140,000 was raised. The Mayor was a very good sport! With Bess Steverson and Barbara Law leading the capital campaign, along with the IHN board of trustees and staff, we began. Now, two years later, at 1184 Baldwin Street sits a beautiful 5,000-square-foot family day center for guest families, volunteers and staff members constructed by Eastman Construction. Throughout a process of this magnitude, divine intervention and the incredible generosity of the Chattanooga community prevailed. Even in the midst of a recession faith and tenacity won. There were so many individuals, congregations, foundations, businesses, corporations, agencies and volunteers responsible for building this dream. I am grateful for every $5 donation all the way up to $100,000, not to mention some of the inkind donations such as the gifts of labor from the Komatsu Company; furniture from First Tennessee Bank and Blue Cross Blue Shield; architectural drawings by Billingsly Architecture; interior design and space planning by Rev. Ann Weeks and Andrea McAlister; security alarm system by Don Morgan of Action Alarm; gas fireplace by Fine’s Hearth and Patio; and wire and cable donated by Encore Wire and Coleman Cable. Our brick pavers are being donated by Tracey Rico. Soon we will have beautiful murals in the playroom, nap room and reading areas by artist Gail Hinton, and the beginnings of our landscaping plan by the UTC Agricultural Extension Program, thanks to Kathleen Robinson, master gardener. Our fingers are crossed on the playground equipment. Please mark your calendars for Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. for the grand opening of IHN’s Family Day Center at 1184 Baldwin Street, across from Indian River Fruit and P & P Produce. Karen Olson, president of Family Promise and founder of the Interfaith Hospitality Network will be the guest speaker. Many thanks to all of the dream makers who helped make the dream of an IHN Family Day Center a reality. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Gallagher
Family Promise Hymn
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- Published on Tuesday, 04 October 2011 15:15
- Written by Super User
Check out the Family Promise Hymn on YouTube: Click Here
About Us
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- Published on Wednesday, 12 August 2009 07:49
- Written by Super User
The Interfaith Homeless Network of Greater Chattanooga coordinates the efforts of over 40 area congregations and their supporters to address the large and growing problem of families without homes. IHN provides homeless families with temporary evening lodging, meals, transportation and assistance finding work, training, education, housing, counseling and supportive services.
IHN works to keep families together. Families are interviewed and thoroughly screened. All adult guests sign contracts concerning their responsibilities of conduct and effort within the program and the host congregations.
The IHN program is an affiliate of Family Promise which operates in 39 states with 140 affiliates and provides a 28-year-old model for success and efficiency in helping homeless families.
Family Promise Presentation: Building Communities, Strengthening People
IHN is also an active member of the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition.
In 2010, IHN moved into a new 5,000 sq ft day center which houses staff, volunteers and clients. We need Individuals to staff our new day center. If you are interested in participating in our life changing ministry please call 756-3891 or complete a Volunteer Application.
IHN in 2012
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- Published on Saturday, 28 January 2012 01:54
- Written by Super User
There has been a 51 percent increase this year in the number of local families who were homeless at a single point in time — Jan. 27, according to the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition. That’s the largest increase in family homelessness recorded here since the point-in-time homeless count started in 2001. The average age of a homeless person in the Tennessee Valley is now 9.
In all of 2010, IHN and its member congregations assisted 463 homeless families. Those families included 564 adults and 1,002 children.
IHN works through the cooperative partnerships of over 51 congregations which enlist 100 volunteers each week. IHN operates 365 days and nights each year. Every evening, IHN has two congregations that host homeless families in unused classrooms or other available space. Evening meals, lodging and activities are provided by congregation volunteers.
Welcome Home
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- Published on Tuesday, 04 October 2011 15:18
- Written by Super User
By David Cook
These two words represent the entire mission of Interfaith Homeless Network, which has tirelessly and relentlessly served homeless families in Chattanooga for the last ten years. Working with area churches, IHN provides counseling, services, shelter, job placement and housing for Chattanooga homeless families, which comprise 40 percent of our homeless population. For the IHN staff, welcoming the families they serve into new homes is their top goal. And now, those two words – “Welcome Home’’ – are appropriate once again for IHN. On October 17, the new Family Day Center will have its grand opening celebration at 10:30 am. The new center – on Baldwin Street – is a dream come true, and celebrating its opening that morning will be the entire IHN staff, so many of its volunteers, local elected officials, the media and, of course, many of its clients. “We are building a dream for IHN and ending homelessness one family at a time,” said Mary Ellen Galloway, IHN’s executive director. “From the inside-out, this day center for homeless families will be a place where children play, homework happens and small children nap. “Homeless families need a place ‘to be’ during the day where children can play, receive tutoring, and participate in a reading program and families can eat, take showers, do laundry, nap children and receive transportation, case management, educational classes and assistance finding jobs, housing, education, training, supportive services and community resources until they transition to employment, housing and self-sufficiency,’’ said Ms. Galloway. “This day center is our dream come true.’’ It comes at a time when such help is so very needed.’’
The new day center will offer multiple services, all of them immeasurable and invaluable in helping homeless families regain their lives, dignity and sense of place. Read Aloud Chattanooga, Kids Café from the Chattanooga Food Bank, money management, budgeting and parenting classes, job training classes, employment assistance, literacy and GED programs and social services will all be offered, on site, making the new IHN day center the area leader in offering help to our homeless neighbors. It comes at a much-needed time. Children make up twenty-five percent of homeless Chattanoogans. Forty percent of all homeless Chattanoogans are families. Homeless families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. “The mission of the Interfaith Homeless Network is to keep families together and help them find homes,’’ said Mayor Ron Littlefield, who will attend the October celebration and was there for the groundbreaking ceremony last fall. IHN would not exist without the countless number of volunteers and area church members. Through IHN, homeless families find temporary homes at churches and synagogues that open their doors to provide volunteer support, meals, overnight lodging and hospitality while guest families search for employment and housing. There are more than 45 churches and synagogues that support homeless families 365 nights a year. “Our work is not done,’’ said Ms. Galloway. “We are always in need of more help and more assistance. This day center will help in ways beyond our imagination. “On behalf of all the families who have now found homes once again, IHN says thank you. And welcome home.’’
IHN and 2010
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- Published on Tuesday, 04 October 2011 15:05
- Written by Super User
• 441 volunteers logged in 4,313 hours at the family day center. • Congregation volunteers logged in 31,200 volunteer hours at the two overnight shelters. • IHN volunteers provided $637,200 in volunteer time in 2010, enabling IHN to leverage its budget four times. • IHN families participated in the following educational programs at the day center: Parenting Classes both individual and group through Partnership for Families, Children and Adults & Parents are First Teachers; Financial Management through Koininea Federal Credit Union; Nutrition, Cooking & Shopping on a Budget with UT Agricultural Extension; Kids’ Café through Chattanooga Area Food Bank; GED preparation, Bill Allen First Baptist Church; Bible Study, First Baptist Church; Group Meeting UTC Social Work Intern; Jubilee Saturday School; Mental health evaluations for children with the Fortwood Homeless Outreach Program; Mental health evaluations for adults with Joe Johnson Mental Health, Family planning through the Homeless Healthcare Center. • The IHN Shelter Case Manager provided intakes and case management for 43 homeless families, 138 homeless individuals, and 95 children including 51 children five years old or younger. Eighty-nine percent (89%) transitioned to housing. An additional 20 HUD voucher families received ongoing case management in 2010. There were 53 adults and 31 children in these families. All families remain housed. • The Centralized Intake caseworker provided intakes and referrals for 463 homeless and near homeless families, which included 564 adults and 1,002 children. There were 633 referrals made to community resources. • Christway Community Church, First Presbyterian Church, Grace UMC, Lookout Presbyterian Church joined IHN as support congregations. I am very grateful to all our congregations both hosting and support; our many faithful volunteers and dedicated staff, our professional community partners and to the many homeless families who entrust us with their stories. It is an honor to serve all the families and children every day. Sincerely,
IHN Executive Director
Mary Ellen Galloway, M.ED., LPC, NCC
Who To Call
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- Published on Monday, 10 October 2011 01:09
- Written by Super User
In the event that you find yourself in need of any kind of assistance, please call us.
Interfaith Homeless Network of Greater Chattanooga1184 Baldwin Street Chattanooga TN 37403 USA
(423) 756-3891
Reintegration
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- Published on Monday, 10 October 2011 01:02
- Written by Super User
reintegrate [riːˈɪntɪˌgreɪt]
You will have a meeting to develop a Case Management/Reintegration Plan within thirty (30) days of your placement at IHN.
The Case Management Plan created will describe how IHN will meet your needs by including the following information:
1) Your needs and strengths
2) Your views and wishes
3) Your goals to be achieved and the plan to achieve them
4) Your medical, spiritual and educational needs
5) Plans for Reintegration Leaves (A reintegration leave is time away from IHN in the community, either escorted by staff or unescorted, for a specific reason and period of time).
A review of your Case Management/Reintegration Plan will be done monthly with your Prime Worker after the first meeting. Case Management meetings will occur every three months so that changes in your needs are made part of the plan.
Child Services
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- Published on Monday, 10 October 2011 00:53
- Written by Super User
Social Services:
Subcategories
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New to IHN
Questions for new visitors to IHN
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General
General questions about IHN
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Support Services
Questions related to Support Services
