First United Methodist Church of Orlando

Interfaith Hospitality Network

Your Interfaith FamilyThe Interfaith Hospitality Network ("IHN") of Orange and Seminole Counties is composed of host and support congregations that provide volunteers, overnight accommodations, and meals at churches for 3 or 4 homeless families with children (maximum of 14 people) for one week at a time on a rotating schedule. First United Methodist Church of Orlando has participated in IHN since July 2003, and we have hosted a total of 25 times through the end of 2007.

IHN focuses on keeping families together, using a comprehensive approach as its counselors seek permanent housing, employment, daycare, health care and other social services necessary to assist guests to achieve independence and return to mainstream life. Follow-up counseling services are provided, too.

We welcome inquiries about the program, and we welcome new volunteers to help with the next hosting period. Approximately 40 people are required to fully staff the week at the Church. For more information, or if you want to help, please contact Michael Dippy, Coordinator, at michaeldippy@eartlink.net.

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Ted, IHN van driver, with Baby Girl Nevins
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Nedra with Baby Daughter Nevins

Our congregation has four hosting weeks in 2008: 

          May 25th-June 1st

          July 13th-20th

          October 12th-19th

 For each of these weeks, we will need volunteers helping in the areas of set-up, tear-down, laundry (after hosting), meal preparation and serving, and evening and overnight hosts.  It is truly a team ministry, and your involvement makes a large difference in the lives of these families!

Contact Michael Dippy, at michaeldippy@eartlink.net,  to learn more about IHN or sign up for one of these volunteer opporutunities. YOUR CONTINUING DEDICATION AND SUPPORT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF IHN.

Photograph

page updated May 2, 2008
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