Allegheny Valley Association of Churches

Day space for homeless families and sleeping accommodations at various church facilities; up to five families may stay until housing is found.

Interfaith Hospitality Network
AVAC Interfaith Hospitality Network provides shelter, meals and assistance for homeless families and helps to alleviate homelessness by increasing the number of people from the religious community who are actively involved in providing support and advocacy.
Since February 1993, the program has housed more than 800 people (80 percent from the local area). Upon leaving our care, approximately 85 percent of the families in the network move into a home of their own.
5 Basic Componenets of the Program
1. Host Churches
Hosting rotates weekly among 9 host congregations. Each Network congregation furnishes overnight lodging and meals for up to three families (up to 14 people) for one week every two or three months on a rotating schedule.
2. Day Center
Guests use a local day center from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, where the IHN director, a professional social worker, provides case management services. There, guests pursue employment, tend to pre-school children, shower, and do laundry. The day center provides guests with a mailing address and a base for housing and employment
searches. Many guests are employed during the day, while older children attend school.
3. Volunteers
Volunteers provide various services: cooking and serving meals, playing with children or helping them with
homework, interacting with guests with respect and compassion
4. Social Service Agencies
Local social service agencies refer families to the Network. The agencies may also help guests find housing, jobs, and benefits.
5. Transportation
An IHN van transports guests to and from the day center. The van also carries bedding and luggage to
the next host congregation.