Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network
Help us make a difference in the lives of local families!
RAIHN
Contacts: Dean Brown 461-9137 deansteve@frontiernet.net
or Sara Berger 288-0876 sberger@rochester.rr.com
First Unitarian hosts local homeless families, who are our guests for one week at a time. Every 15 weeks classrooms on the second floor are turned into bedrooms, and Gilbert Hall becomes a common hospitality room where guests relax, socialize, do homework, and enjoy leisure activities and conversation with church members. Guests arrive via minibus at 5:00 each afternoon and stay overnight until 7:00 the next morning.
The RAIHN network is composed of 36 local congregations, with a Day Center and Director who provides supportive services with the goal of getting families "back on their feet" and achieving a sustainable independence. From the Day Center children go to schools and adults care for younger children and search for employment and affordable housing. Other programs which offer such help are segregated by sex and often do not serve single fathers with children or same sex couples.
This volunteer program at First Unitarian is for all of us - singles, couples, families, elders, teens, classes and small groups. Our next hosting opportunity will be September 25 - October 2, 2011. Please contact Sara if you are interested in helping with the upcoming rotation.
Some Examples of RAIHN Volunteer Opportunities at First Unitarian:
- Help gather supplies for the needs of the week
- Turn classrooms into bedrooms on Welcoming Sunday
- Prepare part of a meal and/or join the guest families for dinner
- Spend two hours providing company and support to families as an Evening Host
- Be an Overnight Host, sleeping in the building to assist guests
- Help do shopping for the needs of the RAIHN week
- Plan on-the-go breakfasts for the mornings
- Make welcoming gift baskets for the five families
- Help do laundry after the group leaves
- Volunteer at the RAIHN Day Center
August 31 2011