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In 1984, the ecumenical Capital Area Council of Churches came together to shelter those less fortunate in Albany through the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless.

This mission statement was developed: "In recognition of the dignity and value of every human life, the mission of Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH) is to provide emergency shelter, services and advocacy for homeless people to maximize their self-sufficiency, foster their empowerment and promote their reintegration into the community."

IPH started with a volunteer staff and temporary facility. Today, it has a dedicated and resourceful staff and provides emergency shelter, programs to foster self-sufficiency, daily help through a drop-in center, holiday help, summer youth programs and more.

The emergency shelter meets people where they are in their life, then helps them become self sufficient. IPH's housing program helps the homeless find housing and provides ongoing support to help them remain in their homes.

The Sheridan Hollow Drop-In Center provides hundreds of services under one roof. It becomes a safe haven during the daytime hours. In 2009, the following statistics were reported from the center:

• 70 guests per day were served, 75 percent of them male;

• 7,553-plus meals were served;

• 2,318 loads of laundry were processed for persons in need;

• 200-plus mail accounts were provided to those who needed a secure mailing address;

• 130-plus individuals accessed health services;

• 1,262 individuals used the shower facilities; and

• 5,634 individuals and families utilized the clothing pantry.

In addition, the center provided case management, lockers, life skills groups, furniture and bus token programs and "Code Blue," its newest program.

Code Blue will provide comfort, warmth, food and support on nights when the temperature drops below 10 degrees. Volunteers for this program are at the top of the list for needs.

Homeless Awareness Month 2010 is also the first anniversary of IPH's construction of apartments which provide permanent housing for chronically homeless individuals and families living with a disability. Tenants receive ongoing case management from the clinical housing case manager on-site.

Tenants' rents are subsidized through the Shelter Plus Care program. Due to the increased need for assistance for homeless families, IPH is creating four units of housing which will be available to homeless families living with a disability. Preliminary work has been done thanks to a generous memorial gift.

There is much community support for the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless. The Daughters of Charity religious order, Mater Christi parish in Albany and Siena College in Loudonville are some of the organizations who offer tremendous help.

Donation drives of laundry detergent and toiletries, providing meals on a monthly basis and allowing IPH to include information in church bulletins are all extremely helpful.

Close to 20 percent of IPH's budget is covered through fundraising.

The community is generous through grants; annual, planned and major gifts; attending fundraisers and making bequests and gifts on behalf of loved ones. A representative of Siena College's Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy and the AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows program is helping IPH to reach fundraising goals through meaningful projects.

IPH is not just embracing its original mission, but leading the effort to eliminate homelessness entirely. Executive director Janine Robitaille notes that, "every day, we draw inspiration from our guests, who overcome tremendous adversity in their will to thrive. It is a privilege to serve them. With your continued support, we will keep on serving them."

(Sister Mavis Jewell, a friend of IPH, represents the Daughters of Charity and St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. Bonnie St. Onge is IPH's director of development. For more information, see www.interfaithpartnership. com. Volunteers and community groups can call 434-8021, ext. 7, or email [email protected].)

When Sister Mavis Jewell celebrated her birthday, she asked friends to give "wish list" items for IPH, from toiletries to umbrellas. She presented the gifts to Janine Robitaille and Bonnie St. Onge at IPH.

(11/18/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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