'What Better Christian Witness?'

by Nellie McNeil
As Chairman of the Board of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) in Kingsport, the Rev. Lee Schaefer, rector, St. Timothy's, Kingsport, oversees eleven host churches and 29 support churches, representing nine denominations, working together to house the homeless.

After only one year in existence, IHN in Kingsport has served 79 individuals, composing 24 family units of 33 adults and 46 children, 32 five years old and younger.

"I'm really sold on this program because it's inclusive--Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Catholics, and members of the Christian church--different faiths, coming together, especially at a time when in other places they are shooting one another," said Schaefer.

The national program, begun in 1986, is the idea of one woman Karen Olsen, a New Jersey executive, who passed homeless people on the streets of New York. Befriending a homeless woman, Olsen discovered that the woman needed people, not just food and shelter. The notion expanded to use unused church space and church volunteers. IHN programs are now found in most states across the country, with more than 80,000 volunteers contributing their gifts of time and talent.

"It's one of the few programs that focuses on the faith community, using its facilities," Schaefer said.

IHN thus provides a way for religious communities and people of faith to respond to the needs of their homeless neighbors.

The program requires social service agencies, a director, host congregations, a day care center, transportation and volunteers.

In Kingsport, for only $1 per year including utilities, the First Presbyterian Church rents Hufford House, a centrally located place, that serves as a day care center for guests of IHN.

There guests can shower, store their possessions, receive job counseling, care for pre-school children and have a home base for job and housing searches.

"We simply couldn't do it without First Pres," Schaefer said. "But there is much community support"

The Diocese of East Tennessee contributed $10,000 from its Opportunity Fund and the national church gave $8,500.

"One individual gave $10,000 and I'm proud of the churches. They give an incredible amount of support," Schaefer said.

John Watson directs IHN from Hufford House. Recruiting through local social service agencies, he screens guests for substance abuse or psychiatric problems and checks police reports.

"He knows them all so everyone is safe, and he is on call 24-7," Schaefer said.

Watson also assures guests that there will be no evangelism and no one trying to convert them.

"The only evangelism is by caring and loving, and sometimes guests have attended the churches," Schaefer said.

To qualify for IHN, guests must have at least one child or be a single woman who is pregnant. Many are single mothers and fathers, and many work at minimum wage.

Volunteers are the heart of IHN. Each Sunday afternoon volunteers transport guests--usually around 14-- in a van, donated by Catholic Charities, to a host church. Prior to their guests' arrival, volunteers have moved and set up beds. One male and one female volunteer spend the night at the church. Many volunteers prepare breakfast and dinner and help guests pack their own lunches.

Volunteers also use their connections to help guests find jobs. They teach financial management and parenting classes.

Approximately 45 Kingsport volunteers are committed to the program. IHN requires that volunteers be trained for this service.

Many volunteers are surprised to learn that the homeless are not lazy and refusing to work, that more than half of the homeless are women and children and that families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.

The eleven Kingsport host churches are backed up by more than 30 support churches who provide funding, volunteers and other services.

St. Timothy's is a host church. St. Christopher's and St. Paul's are support churches.

"The cost effect is fantastic. A hotel room might be a 100 bucks a night," Schaefer said.

"IHN is a last choice for many guests, but it's a chance for them to get their feet back on the ground. They don't have to pay rent or buy groceries so they can pay off their debts. And they're not on the street or living in a car. They know they have a place to go," said Schaefer.

The average stay for a family in IHN in Kingsport is 29 days.

"Our God says to care for the poor, needy and oppressed. What better Christian witness?" Schaefer asked.

Nellie McNeil is the Upper East Correspondent for The East Tennessee Episcopalian.