“Shelter that‘s not
like a shelter”…
and much more!On every night of the year, over 1000 children and their families are homeless in Philadelphia. Due to the shortage of affordable housing combined with tough economic times, family shelters are overflowing and often house families dormitory style. In this difficult time of their lives, shelters are unable to provide calm, comfort, safety, and individualized support necessary to help homeless families rebuild their lives.

Our organization provides three to five families with private rooms, quiet safety and caring support in the calm setting of participating area congregations. Because we are small, we accommodate in-tact couples, single father households, and adolescent boys as well as single women with children.photo by Garth C. Herrick

At two to four week intervals, member congregations offer hospitality and provide volunteers for our guest families. Each volunteer accepts a small task once or twice a week during the hosting period at their congregation. All of these small tasks make a huge difference in the lives of our families as they achieve and accomplish their goals on the path to stability.

“When I first came here, I was lost. Now I know that there are people in this world who have a heart and do things to help without getting anything in return. You bring your family and your children to play with my child. You treat us like your friends or family, not like somebody strange.” – Euscaris, Former Guest

latest news

During the past 15 years, NPIHN has moved 250 families from homelessness to stability. The NPIHN program provides knowledgeable staff assessment, referrals, life skills training; including parenting, financial literacy, career counseling, housing placement, relocation assistance, mentoring, and community building. Equipped with new skills and relationships, 96% of our families never utilize another shelter following their NPIHN experience. Our graduates often stop in to visit us and provide support for our current guest families.

Our hospitality network is comprised of 1200 caring volunteers and we are growing. We are congregations, concerned citizens of the community, generous donors, community businesses, and institutions. There is space in our volunteer list for you and your congregation or organization, in this richly rewarding service to our neighbors.