IHN History at Lake Edge
Sometime prior to 1999, a group gathered to address the issue of homeless families in Madison; and, through their largely unsung efforts, Interfaith Hospitality Network of Madison was formed, based on a national model developed in New Jersey in 1986. People active in the initial local effort included a group from Lake Edge UCC, and our congregation was among those forming the first host network in the Madison area.
Acting on belief that God calls us to do so [there’s a reason it’s called Interfaith], we first hosted families in April of 1999 and have been welcoming them on generally a quarterly basis ever continued since, hosting independently the whole week in those early years.
Several years ago, our neighboring host congregation, Lake Edge Lutheran, underwent remodeling of their building; and, though they had to forego hosting families, they became our buddy church and now provide hosts and food Monday through Wednesday. With them came their buddy church, Bashford Methodist, which supplies lunch food for the families. Lake Edge UCC is delighted to welcome new buddy churches, St. Stephen's ELCA and Monona Lutheran, both of Monona, and anticipates welcoming other area churches to this ecumenical effort.
Meanwhile, IHN has evolved and expanded into a comprehensive organization (the umbrella organization is now called The Road Home ) offering case management for these families in the form of job skills training, smarter money handling, parenting tips, etc.
What it's really like to volunteer with IHN
Audrey's Story
Janet's Story
Nicole's Story
Renee's Story
Scott's Story
Acting on belief that God calls us to do so [there’s a reason it’s called Interfaith], we first hosted families in April of 1999 and have been welcoming them on generally a quarterly basis ever continued since, hosting independently the whole week in those early years.
Several years ago, our neighboring host congregation, Lake Edge Lutheran, underwent remodeling of their building; and, though they had to forego hosting families, they became our buddy church and now provide hosts and food Monday through Wednesday. With them came their buddy church, Bashford Methodist, which supplies lunch food for the families. Lake Edge UCC is delighted to welcome new buddy churches, St. Stephen's ELCA and Monona Lutheran, both of Monona, and anticipates welcoming other area churches to this ecumenical effort.
Meanwhile, IHN has evolved and expanded into a comprehensive organization (the umbrella organization is now called The Road Home ) offering case management for these families in the form of job skills training, smarter money handling, parenting tips, etc.
What it's really like to volunteer with IHN
Audrey's Story
Janet's Story
Nicole's Story
Renee's Story
Scott's Story