Interfaith
Hospitality
Network of Colorado Springs  

 519 N. Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1109 * Phone (719) 329-1244 * Fax (719) 329-1288

A Community Response For Homeless Families with Children

     The mission of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is to give hope to homeless families with children. IHN realizes its mission by providing transitional shelter and supportive services to homeless families and those at immediate risk to experience homelessness. IHN's primary goal is to assist families with children to permanently transition into independent affordable housing; secondary goals include meeting community transitional housing needs in the most cost-effective manner possible and providing church congregations with an opportunity to put their faith into action.
     The Interfaith Hospitality Network derives its name from its numerous partnerships with area churches and synagogues that provide shelter and direct support to homeless families; the network includes congregations of diverse faiths and denominations. However, IHN is a secular nonprofit organization whose services are available to all families with children regardless of personal religious beliefs; Network congregations are strictly prohibited from proselytizing to guest families.

     In the United States, families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. 
Over 40% of the sheltered homeless people in Colorado Springs are families.
     In a supportive environment, IHN provides shelter, sustenance and intense case management and referrals to local agencies as the families work to achieve four goals:

• Stay together as a family. 

• Become employed (actively seek employment if not employed upon entrance of the program).

• Save the major portion of their earnings (for affordable housing)

• Secure affordable housing.  

 

Each week guests document their efforts to attain their goals.

2008 Statistics 
IHN had an occupancy rate of 96%    

     Families served = 27
     Adults = 39
     Children = 66
     Families that moved into affordable housing = 17

     Families Interviewed = 87
     Success Rate = 92% (2003 success rate = 86%)
     Volunteer Hours = In excess of 15,668
     IHN also served an additional 900 people by providing referrals and case management