IHN Overview About IHN The IHN Community
Financial Literacy Committee
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- Published on Tuesday, 04 October 2011 15:12
- Written by Super User
Financial Literacy Committee
Carolyn Richie and I have been teaching the module titled “Pay Yourself First” that discusses the reasons to save money and the different ways to save. I have to admit that initially I was not convinced that “teaching” this program (especially this module) to homeless people was a good idea. Why would anyone that was homeless be interested in or able to save money when they didn’t even have a place to live? Would they be resentful of people “telling” them how they should be handling their finances, especially since they have not volunteered to take the classes but are required to do so?
After only one time teaching this class, I became convinced that the FDIC Money Smart program is extremely beneficial and that the teaching of it to the clients at IHN is making a positive impact. Actually, teaching is not the correct term. We are sharing basic financial concepts with the participants, and they are sharing their knowledge with us. I have learned a lot about how rent-to-own, pawn your title, and payday loan companies work! Hopefully, Carolyn & I have been able to share with them alternatives to using these services. It was eye-opening to realize that these clients had very little basic financial knowledge – knowledge that we take for granted (for example, the fact that you can open a savings account at a bank or credit union with any amount of money and that you can access that money anytime).
Since we have started this program, we have seen three different families get jobs and move into housing. They have all said that what we have shared with them has been beneficial and that they are more confident that they will be able to better manage their finances in the future. One couple recently opened a credit union account and told us it was a direct result of what we had discussed regarding saving money and establishing a relationship with a bank. The clients are very open about sharing their lives with us and ask lots of good questions regarding money. They are very receptive to learning and want to make their lives better. This has been a rewarding experience for me and I think for the other ASWA members taking part in this program.
Susan LeVan
Gateway to Art
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- Published on Tuesday, 04 October 2011 15:08
- Written by Super User
Since October 2010, Creative Discovery Museum has provided homeless families - through the Interfaith Homeless Network (IHN) – the opportunity to experience art in interactive ways. Each month through June, the families will be able to experience two of CDM’s artists, Cinnamon Halbert-Smith, a movement artist, and Garry Posey, a theatre artist. Cinnamon Halbert-Smith’s movement piece, "How Does Your Garden Move?" explains where fruit and vegetables come from using body motions and interpretative dancing. Posey’s theater program teaches children about theatre production. Children will learn how to follow cues, read scripts, select costumes, rehearse and perform. Both artists will share with the families their background and experiences in the arts during a 30-minute presentation. For the next twenty minutes of the program the families will have the opportunity to take part in an art class. The session will conclude with a ten minute story time and book giveaway. Tennessee-based artists Halbert-Smith and Posey are experts in their fields of the arts and are highly experienced in presenting art experiences for younger children. These educationally inspiring art sessions will take place at local churches including but not limited to: First Baptist, St. Luke, St. Jude, and Hixson UMC, which are all a part of IHN. These artists will be participating in the Free Thursday Night Program at CDM in April and May of 2011. By Madison Boyd, Simone Busby, Tanner Peterson, Finley Bandy and Mary Woodruff Griffin
IHN Facts
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- Published on Thursday, 05 October 2006 14:00
- Written by Super User
Here are some interesting facts about IHN: We focus on families.We raise money to place families in housing.We help get them training to use in today's workforce. Did you know there are over 1,140 homeless children in the Chattanooga Area?
IHN Chattanooga is composed of 51 area churches and synagogues!
Family Promise
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 April 2008 03:27
- Written by Super User
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