Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network (SPIHN)

A Community Response to Homeless Families

The Problem
More than 541 people in Spartanburg County are without shelter on any given day, 40 percent of which are families (2005 Community Indicators VI: Strategic Spartanburg). Although a significant percentage of the homeless population is made up of families, many shelters have difficulty providing a family-friendly environment. Sleeping space is often separated by gender, forcing families to be split up at night.

The Solution
SPIHN provides compassionate, loving support with shelter, meals and counseling services through a faith-based network to the homeless families of Spartanburg County, fostering and promoting growth for a successful transition to independence. Not only do families remain in tact while guests of SPIHN, they receive coaching in life skills and case management focused on self-sufficiency.

How It Works
Each week, a different host congregation provides hospitality to SPIHN guests. Every family is given their own room equipped with beds to call their own for the week. In the evening, the host church provides home-cooked meals, a home-like atmosphere and activities for the children. In the morning, the SPIHN guests are transported to the Day Center for intensive case management, assistance in accessing community resources, job search assistance, resume and job interview skills, assistance with finding permanent housing, life skills and computer skills.

Partnership
By partnering with local faith communities and other community resources, SPIHN is able to provide services at one-third the cost of traditional shelters. Faith communities are given an opportunity to put their devotion into action by serving their homeless neighbors and to put space to use that is often unused during the week.

The Goal
While each family has unique needs and obstacle to overcome on the path to self-sufficiency, SPIHN seeks to have guest families "independent" within three to four months.

Success
More than 70 percent of SPIHN guests secure permanent housing, and 63 percent remain self-sufficient and do not become homeless again.

For more information or to offer support or donations, please contact SPIHN at 864.597.0699 or visit their website at www.spihn.org.

Spotlight On Archive