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How We Differ from Traditional Homeless Shelters
Unique in our approach in Morris County, we currently partner with more than 75 congregations of different faiths and 1600 of their congregants to provide shelter, overnight staffing, dinner and breakfast to our families. Interfaith Council maintains a Day Center and Office in Parsippany (made possible by a Morris County grant made in March 2009 and that we share with 2 local not-for-profits). The dedication and commitment of all these partners makes Interfaith Council the most cost-effective local shelter program in the community. Not only can we direct most of our revenue (a combination of government & foundation grants, and donations from individuals, congregations, and other community partners) to meeting the needs of our families, the operating model provides an opportunity for community participation that is not available in a traditional shelter setting. Our volunteers and their families open their congregations, their schedules, their wallets, and their hearts to the families of Interfaith Council.
In addition, we allow our families to stay with us for as along as they need to get back on their feet. For some families, it may be a couple of weeks; for others, it may be a year. Many traditional shelters have a time limit which means that families often have to find other temporary shelter before they have accumulated enough resources or completed necessary schooling to enable them to successful move on to independent housing.
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