INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK
Over the last 14 years, Christ the King Parish
has been a very active member of the Interfaith
Hospitality Network. This local organization
works to unite the religious community in an
effort to serve and nurture homeless families
regardless of income and family structure.
Twenty-six congregations, many with
assistance from additional congregations,
provide meals, shelter and hospitality. Families
receive case management, assistance with
housing and employment search, accessing
support services and advocacy at the IHN day
center. It is with a sense of pride that all
involved know that since its creation in 1997,
the Greater Worcester Interfaith Hospitality
Network has worked to successfully help 812
people in 275 families.
At Christ the King parish the goal of the
program is to provide homeless families with
the basic human needs: shelter, safety, and
sustenance, in a spirit of warmth and
hospitality.
Christ the King, together with other
congregations in the Worcester community,
has agreed to provide nutritiously prepared
meals for three to five families (about fourteen
people) in a safe environment whether their
residence is located at the church or in another
local site. We host these families for two weeks
in the early spring or summer and intend to
continue this commitment on a yearly basis.
Many volunteers have agreed to assist in this
important project, including preparing and
serving meals, spending time helping to
entertain the children, and ensuring all needs
of the families are met.
Currently with the leadership and support of
Friendly House, their sponsoring organization,
the IHN has initiated a new capital campaign
called “A Place to Call Home.” It involves the
purchase of a “static site”, a big, well-
maintained home with a fenced yard in a safe
neighborhood. It would allow the homeless
families to remain in one facility instead of
moving every few weeks. Church members
would continue on a rotating basis to prepare
meals and interact with the families in a more
relaxed environment for everyone. It is a dream
many share for the future of the homeless in
Worcester.
Over the last 14 years, Christ the King Parish
has been a very active member of the Interfaith
Hospitality Network. This local organization
works to unite the religious community in an
effort to serve and nurture homeless families
regardless of income and family structure.
Twenty-six congregations, many with
assistance from additional congregations,
provide meals, shelter and hospitality. Families
receive case management, assistance with
housing and employment search, accessing
support services and advocacy at the IHN day
center. It is with a sense of pride that all
involved know that since its creation in 1997,
the Greater Worcester Interfaith Hospitality
Network has worked to successfully help 812
people in 275 families.
At Christ the King parish the goal of the
program is to provide homeless families with
the basic human needs: shelter, safety, and
sustenance, in a spirit of warmth and
hospitality.
Christ the King, together with other
congregations in the Worcester community,
has agreed to provide nutritiously prepared
meals for three to five families (about fourteen
people) in a safe environment whether their
residence is located at the church or in another
local site. We host these families for two weeks
in the early spring or summer and intend to
continue this commitment on a yearly basis.
Many volunteers have agreed to assist in this
important project, including preparing and
serving meals, spending time helping to
entertain the children, and ensuring all needs
of the families are met.
Currently with the leadership and support of
Friendly House, their sponsoring organization,
the IHN has initiated a new capital campaign
called “A Place to Call Home.” It involves the
purchase of a “static site”, a big, well-
maintained home with a fenced yard in a safe
neighborhood. It would allow the homeless
families to remain in one facility instead of
moving every few weeks. Church members
would continue on a rotating basis to prepare
meals and interact with the families in a more
relaxed environment for everyone. It is a dream
many share for the future of the homeless in
Worcester.
