The Interfaith Hospitality Network is a united ecumenical effort to provide food and shelter to families without homes in a supportive and caring environment.  Churches provide the overnight facilities and meals and the volunteers to support them.  The Network provides a day center facility and uses its resources to help the families look for housing, jobs, and childcare. St Thomas' is beginning its eleventh year participating in this program.

St. Thomas' is unlike many host congregations in that we have a shower and laundry facilities onsite.  Most of the time, the guests use the day-center laundry and shower facilities so while they are with us, they can fulfill this basic need on a more leisurely basis.  For the past 10 years, we have offered guests safe and clean overnight accommodations, a home cooked dinner each night and breakfasts on weekend days, use of our computer, holiday and birthday celebrations - all provided in an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.  We have also been extremely fortunate to have an outpouring of support of our friends at Vernon United Methodist Church next door.  Their youth group has regularly helped on our set-up day and their spirit of volunteerism has enabled us to continue to participate at this level.

We extend a hearty welcome to Emilie Dupont, who has graciously volunteered to act as coordinator for the shelter - Emilie brings a wealth of hospitality experience from her involvement with the hiker hostel and also as a volunteer with the shelter ministry for many years. 

Jobs within the IHN ministry are helping on set up and breakdown days, when many hands are needed, coordinating any necessary food shopping for the essentials guests require when staying with us,  and staffing the actual shifts for dinners, sleeping overnight and lunch and afternoon hostings on the weekends. Emilie can be contacted at   hgs@warwick.net if you have any questions.