About Us

Emergency Shelter 

Our Emergency Shelter program currently mobilizes over 1,000 volunteers at 78 congregations. Twenty-six “host” congregations (two per week) provide shelter sites and meals, and 52 “support” congregations work with the host congregations to provide volunteers, meals and supplies. This combination of a host and its supporting congregations is called a “network.” Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati currently runs two networks each week, allowing us to serve up to 8 families a week (32 individuals; two-thirds of whom are children). The guests arrive at the host congregation by bus between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and have a hot meal with the congregation volunteers, followed by activities (homework, crafts, games, television) and relaxation before bedtime. In the morning after breakfast, families pick up bag lunches and board the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati bus for the Day Center.

Congregations

Host Congregations are area churches and synagogues that provide three meals a day, private sleeping space, and volunteers to create a "home away from home" for the families. Support Congregations assist the Host Congregations by providing donated meals and volunteers.