Your help is needed to make a difference for Salem homeless families

As you drive down Edgewater Street in west Salem, you can easily pass and not notice the day center of Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network (Salem IHN).  It is in an area of older homes converted to business use and apartment buildings.  The unpretentious sign gives only a small clue as to what business this location contains.  Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network is a safe haven to families experiencing homelessness.  The program unites dozens of churches and hundreds of volunteers to serve the goal of self sufficiency for homeless families.

The humble exterior does not portray the mission contained within these walls: To stand against homelessness and enable families to achieve self-sufficiency.  To understand the full scope of this mission – it is key to understand the emphasis is on hospitality.  Why Hospitality?  Each family that enters Salem IHN is valued as an honored guest.  These families are our neighbors needing safe places to go and positive people to mentor them.  They are families needing help accessing education, housing and resources.   

In an economic time when so many families are living paycheck to paycheck, facing foreclosure or unemployment problems the need for a safe haven such as Salem IHN is overwhelming.  Families who never dreamed that homelessness could touch their lives seek the resources and expertise Salem IHN provides.  

This year Salem IHN celebrated 10 years of serving the Salem area homeless and was also awarded a remodeling grant from the City of Salem.  The remodel will enable Salem IHN to improve their office and family day center – the non-descript building on Edgewater Street.  Remodeling is nearing completion and operations will move from temporary quarters to resume operations there in September.

What can YOU do? 

Sponsor a space.  Needs have been identified – large and small that can make a difference in the successful ongoing operation of Salem IHN.  From large needs like furniture for the family room, durable window coverings, ongoing yard maintenance to small needs like new towels and bedding. 

Volunteer your time.  Helping move, unpack or clean.  Train to become a mentor, maintain flowerbeds, help with office work.  (You can even get a free night in a posh hotel - click here for more information.)

Become a regular donor.  Having regular donations – small or large are the backbone of Salem IHN’s success.

The problems these families face are not solved by city, country or federal programs – but by people like you and me.  Families helping families.  Neighbors serving neighbors.  Relationships being built. 

Contact Salem IHN at 503-370-9752 on how you can make a difference for Salem families through your time and donations. 

Posted by Margaret Oscilia, home stager with Creative Concepts and Contracting and board member of Salem IHN.