Become a Host or Support Congregation

Host congregations provide homeless families a clean, safe overnight shelter and nutritious meals for one week every three months.

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Welcome!

Each night in Polk County, over 400 adults and children in families are homeless; half are children. The impact of losing a home is traumatic, especially for children. The resulting instability creates insecurity, worry, low self-esteem, and difficulty focusing in school and studying.

At the Des Moines Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (DMIHN) we strive to create a safe, stable and nurturing environment for the children as well as to support the efforts of their parents in securing employment and housing.

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Volunteers put the "Hospitality" in Interfaith Hospitality Network!

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Friday, 20 March 2009 13:26

Volunteers put the “hospitality” in Interfaith Hospitality Network by creating a home-like atmosphere where guests can receive what they need: rest, hope, respect, confidence boosting and a sense of control in their lives. During the host week, volunteers prepare meals, play with children, help out with homework and offer a listening ear for parents after a long day.

  • Annually, over 1,000 volunteers (adults, youth and children) donate their time to provide hospitality to IHN guest families.
  • In 2008, our 13 host congregations and one support congregation:
    • Amassed 13,080 volunteer hours
    • Provided 4,726 nights of lodging and 14,166 meals!
  • The monetary value of these volunteers’ time, and resulting savings to DMIHN:  $203,917!!*

* Monetary value calculated at the average dollar value of volunteer time for the state of Iowa of 15.59 per hour as determined by the Independent Sector (http://indpendentsector.org).
 

Hy-Line International Lends Support to Homeless Families

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Monday, 02 February 2009 19:35

Hy-Line InternationalWe’re pleased to announce Hy-Line International’s investment in the lives of our guests through a generous donation of $6,000.  

In announcing the donation, Rhonda Mulder, Chairperson of Hy-Line International’s Charitable Contributions Committee stated, “We hope this gift will help assist your organization in providing safe shelter and help to families in need and let them know there are people who care.”

With a corporate office in West Des Moines, Hy-Line International strives to breed the most efficient laying hens that will produce the majority of eggs worldwide to nourish a growing population.

We’re grateful to Hy-Line International for their generous gift and for being a part of our community response for homeless families with children.

Thank you Hy-Line International!

Jim Cain
DMIHN Director
 

Local Musician's CD Benefits DMIHN

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Tuesday, 11 November 2008 11:44

CD cover - click for larger imageCD cover - Click for larger imageTed Poulsen, a local musician who once opened for the band Kansas and was one of five finalist in the 2003 Iowa Star Search has created a CD of Gospel hymns with a modern twist and will be donating half the proceeds to DMIHN.  The CD contains 10 songs, 8 remakes in a modern style of classic hymns and 2 original songs.

Ted says, "I had wanted to do something for a homeless charity and decided on the Interfaith Hospitality Network after speaking with my friends Jason Walke and David Basler. If a church would be interested in having me come and perform a song or two, for example, for communion or offertory at a church service and let me say a few words about the Network, I would love to do so."

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Accessing DMIHN Services

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Mission Satement 

To mobilize our community to help homeless families achieve and sustain their independence through compassionate care, shelter, meals and case management.