May we welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed us for the glory of God
from Romans 15:7

Like many good things at St. Matthews and elsewhere, the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) began with the breaking of bread—more specifically, a sandwich. On an impulse in 1981, a former business commuter bought a sandwich for an elderly, homeless woman whom she often passed on her route in New York City. "I just wanted to drop that sandwich and move on," remembers IHN founder Karen Olson, "but she grabbed my hand and we talked for several minutes. I realized she was hungry not only for food, but even more for human warmth and compassion."

Serving that sandwich changed the course of Karen's life. She got to know that woman, named Millie, and many of New York City's homeless people after she and her two sons began delivering sandwiches to them in Port Authority Bus Terminal on Sunday evenings. In listening to their life stories, they learned that homelessness is more than just houselessness...it often means the more profound loss of family, friends, and the support system that connects most of us to a stable life.

Karen soon learned that even in her home community of Union County, NJ, there were hundreds of homeless people, including many families. Believing that there were many who shared her concern, she looked to the religious community for help. The first step to involvement needed to be education. At a congregation-sponsored conference in October of 1985, over 200 participants listened to Wendy, a homeless mother of two, describe her ordeal of trying to keep her children safe while living in her car and in a run-down welfare motel. Her story, and presentations by clergy members and advocates for the homeless, developed the necessary awareness, and representatives from area congregations soon began working together to find a solution.

Within ten months, nine churches and one synagogue came forward to provide hospitality space within their buildings; the local YMCA agreed to provide showers and a room for the families during the day; a car dealer discounted a van; and a foundation provided a grant for the rest. So, on October 27, 1986, the first Interfaith Hospitality Network opened its doors. Word spread quickly about this program and other networks sprang-up until in 1989, Karen the formed the National Interfaith Hospitality Network in 1989 –its’ mission to spread the program to all parts of the country where people of faith could work together to help homeless families.

In Austin, a grassroots organization comprised of volunteers from various churches began taking shape during the early 1980’s that saw a need to assist Austin’s homeless population. These volunteers began by passing-out donuts at the day labor corner on 2^nd Street and later formed the Foundation for the Homeless (FFH) in 1989. Since then, FFH has adopted IHN as one of its programs so that, today, approximately 3000 volunteers work within 2 church networks to assist 32-37 families each year. FFH additionally runs the Passages program which offers financial assistance to secure housing, and a Breakfast Program downtown that provides a full breakfast, haircuts, showers, bus passes and medical referrals twice a week to about 250 single adults.

Nearly 4,000 persons are homeless in Travis County on any given day. People in families comprise over 40% of the homeless and are the fastest growing sub-population. An estimated one out of every four homeless persons is a child. Quynh-Anh McMahon, Director of the Austin IHN, offers this story of one such family:

Jose is a single parent of two boys, ages ten and three. Jose’s nephews came under his guardianship approximately 3 years ago when their mother lost custody of them due to neglect and the presence of drugs in the newborn. Since then, he has raised them on his own and continued to obtain much-needed medical care for both the boys. The oldest is in remission from cancer, and the youngest suffers from chronic bronchitis.

Jose had been in a local transitional housing program but left because he was unable to pay rent due to lack of employment. While in the Interfaith Hospitality Network Program, Jose searched for employment with staff support, and after a few months was able to secure a full-time job as a front desk clerk at a local hotel. He then found an apartment that he could afford, and moved in with the assistance of the Passages program. Volunteers from IHN have filled their home with furniture and the family enjoyed a lavish Christmas thanks to all the wonderful donations.

The boys are healthy and happy in their new home, and Jose’s family is now self-sufficient. This is a perfect example of how the combined efforts of the social service programs and volunteers can provide a hard-working family with stability, strength, and hope.