Photograph taken by Shannon Smith at Host Church, Visio Dei.
Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc. (WIHN) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation that responds to the needs of homeless families in Wake County. Opening its doors in 1994, WIHN has developed into a multi-faceted program addressing homelessness and its causes.
The specific purpose of WIHN is to provide temporary stability to homeless families as they work toward permanent independence.
WIHN promotes a sense of community and self-worth, and assists families in learning the skills necessary to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. Professional staff provides families with daily, individual case management.
About National Interfaith Hospitality Network (NIHN)
As part of Family Promise, NIHN’s mission is to help low-income families nationwide achieve lasting independence and to redress the underlying causes of poverty and homelessness. WIHN is one of 171 IHNs across the United States.
Family Promise was founded on the belief that Americans are compassionate people who want to make a difference. Our promise has been to link those in need with those who want to help. Twenty years and 140,000 volunteers later, our pledge is ever broader and deeper.
We work to accomplish our mission through four program areas:
- Interfaith Hospitality Networks (IHNs) provide shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services to homeless families.
- Family Mentoring helps prevent homelessness by training volunteers to be advisors and advocates to low-income families.
- Just Neighbors, an interactive educational program, raises awareness of the root causes of poverty and homelessness as the first step in establishing community-based responses.
- Community Initiatives foster local IHN outgrowth programs, such as transitional housing, job training, childcare, and literacy.