How Your Congregation Can Participate

A congregation may serve as a host or support congregation for guests for 3 or 4 weeks each year, one week at a time. A host congregation is responsible for the overall evening housing of the guests each week, while some support congregations help the host congregation with volunteers as needed.

In order to make a host week successful, there are several ways for volunteers to become involved:

• Serve on a “set up” or “take down” or “laundry” team
• Coordinate donations of food
• Drive the van
• Serve dinner
• Plan or lead evening activities
• Stay overnight

Even host children and youth may help by playing with the guest children. These activities are coordinated by one lead volunteer at the congregation.

Volunteer Coordinator

The Volunteer Coordinator has the responsibility to interact with volunteers, clergy, guests, and WIHN staff. This person usually has good communication skills, can recruit effectively, is flexible, and acts with diplomacy. His or her role is not limited to one specific area, but requires a good team of volunteers to help manage the host week. There are over 50 congregations that are actively involved in our network.