About the program

The mission of the Montgomery County Interfaith Hospitality Network (MCIHN) is to serve homeless families with children by uniting faith communities in a cooperative effort to provide shelter, meals, and compassionate assistance.

The program was started in Montgomery County, Texas in 2001 by a group of concerned citizens and church members.

In support of this mission, approximately 20 Montgomery County faith communities have committed the hearts and hands of their members, their financial resources, and/or the use of their facilities to provide a safe and dignified refuge for MCIHN families.

In the year since MCIHN opened its doors on September 11, 2001, more than 900 faith community volunteers have hosted 58 families, providing them with 10,816 nights of safe refuge and 32,382 meals. Eighty-five percent of these families have "graduated" from the program and are successfully living in transitional or permanent housing. During the first four months of 2004, 9 families have been helped, including 17 adults and 19 children.

MCIHN is affiliated with Family Promise, recognized by President Bush in 1992 as one of the top 21 volunteer agencies in the country from a field of more than 4,500 service providers nominated for his Annual Points of Light Award. Since 1988 Family Promise has helped organize over 100 networks in 24 states, four of them in Texas. Last year, 25,000 network congregations served 100,000 families nationally; 70% of the families served have obtained permanent or transitional housing.

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