IHOC Provides Immediate Help and Community Support While Building Long-Term Relationships
Homeless Hospitality Network
IHOC’s flagship program is the Homeless Hospitality Network, which serves up to twelve men in an innovative, intensive, thirty-week program.
Prior to the disruptions brought about by COVID, The Homeless Hospitality Network ran from November until May. During this time homeless men are housed with various member congregations. The congregations serve as hosts for two-week periods, providing meals, a warm, secure place to sleep, and fellowship. During the first ten weeks, the men gain valuable lessons by attending life skills classes on money management, job seeking, and developing interpersonal relationships while also working with nonprofit organizations such as the Goodwill Industries.
Following the required training, the men begin an intensive job search. Once they obtain a job, the men must deposit 80 percent of their salaries into an IHOC managed account to be held for them until they secure permanent housing.
The program requires 100% buy-in from the guests. Throughout the entire program the men participate in intensive drug and alcohol counseling and are expected to attend a minimum of two Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week. There is a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and substance use.
Mentor Night
Every month, IHOC organizes an outing for graduates of the hospitality program. These events are an important part of IHOC’s mission – as we seek to be a part of these men’s lives after they graduate. Activities include a trip to the movies, bowling or just hanging out at the park and playing bocce.
We are in the process of expanding this program, with our partners at The Family Church taking the lead. The goal is to scale the program to include more men and provide a wider network of support.
Contact us if you'd like to learn more!
Transitional Housing
Once the men graduate from the hospitality network or engage in IHOC's case management services, they begin an intensive job search. Once they obtain a job, the men must deposit 80 percent of their salaries into an IHOC managed account to be held for them until they secure permanent housing.
Throughout the entire program the men participate in intensive drug and alcohol counseling and are expected to attend a minimum of two Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week.
Case Management
While IHOC is a mostly volunteer organization, there is a full-time case manager on the payroll.
This individual shepherds our graduates of the hospitality program through their journey to permanent housing. In addition, the men in the network continue to benefit from drug and alcohol counseling.
These services are not limited to program graduates. IHOC is frequently contacted by congregations and community groups who come across unhoused individuals. Such cases are on the rise across our region.
Adopt A Box
The purpose of Adopt-A-Box is to collect and distribute basic personal care items to men, women and children who are currently staying in shelters or using day centers.
Like Pack-A-Sack, Adopt-A-Box is easy to participate in and is a great way to help those in need. All you need to do is take a shoe box and fill it with basic items such as: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, baby shampoo, deodorant, underwear, shaving cream, hand lotions, razors, wash clothes, and socks. IHOC typically runs this program in March, so please check our website to find out where the drop off locations will be.
Pack A Sack
Pack-A-Sack is a program which delivers school supplies primarily to Camden children living in homeless shelters (some of the supplies go to other impoverished Camden children who, while not homeless, are still extremely needy).
Participating in Pack-A-Sack is a great way to directly help less fortunate children. Supporting the program is easy. All you must do is purchase a child size backpack and fill it with back-to-school items such as pens, pencils, rulers, folders, and binders. Many of the children Pack-A-Sack targets are also in need of socks and underwear. Including these items along with the other school supplies is extremely helpful.
Pack-A-Sack is held annually towards the beginning of each school year. You can check our website in July or August of each year to see where you can drop off items for the program.
