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HOMELESSNESS |
| Congregations across
the country are wrestling with the question of how to be "our
brother's keeper" as homelessness grows at an unprecedented
pace. A sensitive and compassionate response is needed to address
this difficult and painful problem.
Today, hundreds of thousands of Americans -
children and adults - are homeless. Our nation's diverse homeless
population includes a growing number of traditional families, one-parent
families, veterans, working people, victims of domestic violence and
many others. |
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OUR
RESPONSE |
| People of faith and
religious communities want to respond to the needs of their homeless
"neighbors." The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater
Cumberland County (IHN-GCC) provides a way for our local citizens.
IHN-GCC enables local congregations to unite hearts and hands to provide
shelter, meals and compassionate assistance to homeless families.
By uniting our congregations, plus day care centers and social service
agencies, our IHN-GCC program can do what individuals alone cannot do. |
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HOW
IT WORKS |
| In our IHN-GCC program,
a Host congregation furnishes clean, safe, overnight lodging and
nutritious meals for three to five families (up to 14 guests) for one
week every two or three months. During Host Week, other
congregations may provide additional volunteers to support the Host
group - by planning meals, entertaining children, etc. |
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WHO
ARE WE? |
| Currently, there are
seven congregations in the greater Cumberland County area participating
in our network: |
Lutheran
Church of the Redeemer
Buckshutem United Methodist
First
Baptist Church of Vineland
Saint Isidore's Roman Catholic
Church
First United
Methodist of Vineland
La-Iglesia Presbiteriana-Hispana-Bet-El
First
United Methodist of Port Norris |
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A
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
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If your congregation is not local to this network, consider starting your own
regional network! For further information, you can visit the national website at www.nihn.org
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WHAT
CAN I DO? |
You can volunteer your time. Volunteers provide warmth, hospitality, support
& compassion to our guests. Volunteers talk to guests, listen to them & treat them
with respect. Volunteers can be a source of hope when hope has been
lost. |
You can ask your congregation to consider becoming a part of this
ministry network. If you are part of a local
congregation, contact K. Bernhardt. |
You can make a financial contribution or donation to help underwrite the
costs associated with this program. If you are interested in helping in this
manner, please contact: K.
Bernhardt for information concerning how to make your tax-deductible
contribution. |
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