Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network News and Events Feed | Newton, NJ

Navigating a nightmare: Families recount horrors of homelessness

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Interesting story about one family's experience being homeless.

A Story of Hope

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Please read this story of hope which details three Las Vegas families journey to overcome homelessness and regain self-sufficiency.

Gold/Silver Fundraiser

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Please join us for a Gold/Silver Fundraiser to benefit SCIHN. SCIHN/Family Promise is hosting a Gold/Silver Fundraiser on Saturday, May 12 from 12-4 at our Day Center, 19 Church Street. A Gold Party Specialist will be there to test and weigh your gold and silver handing you a check, right on the spot! 10% of the party proceeds will go right back to help the homeless of Sussex County. Hope to see you there!

First Prespbyterian Church is hosting a Spring Market and Tea at the same time right next door. Come shop for Mother's Day!

Auction 2012

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Auction 2012 was a great success! Please enjoy our pictures from the event. Thanks to all of our sponsors, donors, and attendees for your participation and support! See the attached article in this week's Sparta Independent!

http://spartaindependent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120416/ENTERTAINMENT/120419964/Auction-helps-benefit-homeless--

Corporate Matching Gifts Program

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Many companies will match the direct charitable giving of their employees. Some copmanies will also double the match or match the value of their employee's volunteer hours with a monetary donation. One example is the Prudential CARES Volunteer grants program; this program awards between $250 and $5,000 to organizations where their employees volunteer at least 40 hours in a calendar year. The steps for receiving a matching donation vary from company to company but in most cases it starts with the employee (or retiree) getting a form from the HR department and sending the completed form to Interfaith with their donation. The Interfaith program must then certify the donation and return the form to the employer. To see the extensive list of companies that match gifts, please view the list below. If you do not see your company listed, please ask your employer about their different matching programs.

Family Promise: Reaching Out in Tough Times

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Please follow the link and read this wonderful piece which appeared in The Montana Catholic. It describes how vital the Interfaith Hospitality Network is and the influence our volunteers and congregations have in making the program a success.

http://www.diocesehelena.org/news-events/mt-catholic/archives/2011/dec/family-promise.html

Night Shift: How I learned to take homelessness personally

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A fascinating perspective from an Interfaith Hospitality Network volunteer who serves as an overnight host. He references Loaves and Fishes, Dorothy Day’s chronicle of her commitment to the Catholic Worker movement and her lifelong dedication to the poor and homeless of New York City. He states, "I expected to find in her writings a confirmation of my own politically liberal sympathies—exhortations, for example, for government and political leaders to do more for the poor and homeless. Instead, I found her firm support for personal responsibility: a conviction that individuals, families and parishes should bear the burden for helping our nation’s most impoverished citizens."

“It seems to me,” Day writes, “that in the future the family—the ideal family—will always try to care for one more. If every family that professed to follow Scriptural teaching, whether Jew, Protestant or Catholic, were to do this, there would be no need for huge institutions, houses of dead storage where human beings waste away in loneliness and despair. Responsibility must return to the parish with a hospice and a center for mutual aid, to the group, to the family, to the individual.”

If you are involved, stay involved. If you are not involved, get involved. Interfaith needs you and your congregation. Follow the link to read the full article.

http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13142

Box City 2012

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Guest Update

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Congratulations to one of our guests who started her internship today! We are so proud and wish her the best of luck!

Tricky Tray Proceeds to Benefit Sussex County Interfaith

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Ladies Philoptochos of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church will hold their annual TRICKY TRAY on Friday, May 11, 2012 at St Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 1775 Sussex Turnpike, in Randolph, NJ. Doors open at 6:30 pm and calling begins at 8:00 pm. The Tricky Tray is their main fundraiser with the proceeds going to a variety of organizations and charities. This year a portion of the proceeds will be given to the Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network/Family Promise. Complimentary coffee and dessert will be served and tickets will be sold at the door. Value of the baskets range from a minimum of $50.00 (small) to over $100 (large). For additional information, please email Trickytray3@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you on May 11!

Check Out Our New and Improved Website!

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Thanks to Rodney Calafati of Northern Pride for all of his hard work updating our website. You can now follow us on Facebook and Twitter right from our website. Keep checking back for SCIHN news, guest updates, and upcoming events.

Box City 2012 Registration Forms

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On April 21-22, Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network and Pass It Along will host its fourth annual event Box City at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. Both organizations have joined together to promote homelessness awareness among local youth.

Almost 30% of homeless individuals are between the ages of 22-30. Sussex county high school students are invited to learn more about homelessness by participating in Box City which is an overnight event where an actual experience of being homeless is replicated by constructing an overnight box for shelter. A light supper along with educational activities is provided. For those who cannot participate at the fairgrounds, we are offering an option for you to hold a virtual box city at your location.

All attending groups must have an adult chaperone and the cost is $25.00. To register or for more information, please contact SCIHN at 973-570-1180 or www.helpnjhomeless.org or PIA at 973-726-9777.

Luminary Night Results in Generous Donation to SCIHN

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Members of the Blessed Kateri Columbian Squires Circle #5177 celebrate the success of the 2nd Annual Luminary Night with Julie Schuldner, Executive Director IHN. Seated from left: John Hunter Zoetjes, team co-captain Ed Weaver, Julie Schuldner, team co-captain Ben Insley, and Father Patrick Rice pastor of Blessed Kateri. Standing from left: Hunter Roggero, Knights of Columbus District Deputy Charlie Farrie, Squire Rose Cassandra Zoetjes, Daniel Smith, Danny Lubertazzi, Raymond Roggero, Michael Dolecki, Matthew Dolecki, and Blessed Kateri Grand Knight Nick Cutrone. The Blessed Kateri Squires, with the help of the Squire Roses, worked together and proceeds resulted in a $3,400 donation to the Interfaith Hospitality Network for its efforts in helping the homeless. Special acknowledgement to Squire John Hunter Zoetjes and his sister Cassandra (a Squire Rose at Blessed Kateri) who sold 50 Luminary kits as a brother/sister team. For more information on the Blessed Kateri Squires and Roses please visit www.blessedkaterinjkofc.org

Taizé-type service on Saturday, March 10 at 5 p.m.

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Be still and know that I am God --Taizé is a time of slowing down and
pulling back from the busyness and cacophony of sound that bombards us every
day. All are welcome to Waterloo United Methodist Church for this
candle-lit ecumenical service that includes Scripture, meditative silence,
prayer, and song. Through Taizé, participants can enjoy a community
setting, remain open to the voice of God, and discover the prayer within
themselves. It is a gift to the community that all might develop peace in
their souls and with each other. Please join us for a Taizé-type service on
Saturday, March 10 at 5 p.m. A free-will offering will be taken and donated
to Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network (SCIHN)/Family Promise. For
more information please visit www.waterloochurch.com.

Volunteer Training - Wednesday, February 15 12:00 pm

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

We are having a Volunteer Training session at the Day Center at 19 Church Street in Newton on Wednesday, February 15 at 12:00 pm. A light lunch will be served. There is still space so please call to reserve a spot. We look forward to seeing you all!

Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network Annual Auction - March 31, 2012

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network (SCIHN) of Newton will hold its 14^th annual dinner auction on Saturday, March 31 at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club in Sparta. Corporate sponsorships are available, and tickets are now on sale.

The event will begin at 6:30pm with a silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner buffet created by Chef Marc Muniz. A live auction will feature vacation getaways, restaurant dine-arounds, gift baskets and event tickets. Friends and businesses are invited to donate items, and all will be acknowledged in the program.“We look forward to seeing old and new friends at our annual fundraiser. Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network is grateful for the continued support of our community,” said Julie Schuldner, Executive Director of SCIHN.

Tickets are $60 a person and can be directly purchased by calling 973-579-1180 or email info@scihn.org Tickets are not available at the door and must be reserved by March 20. For more information, go to www.helpnjhomeless.org.

All proceeds benefit SCIHN, (Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network), a division of Family Promise, is a non-profit organization created in 1998 in response to the growing number of homeless families in Sussex County, New Jersey. Today, Family Promise has over 171 IHN affiliates in 41 states and the District of Columbia. In 2010, Family Promise affiliates served more than 49,000 children and adults and involved more than 125,000 volunteers in 5,000 congregations.

Family Promise Announces Buy One, Give One Campaign

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Family Promise has just announced an exclusive partnership with The Company Store, a leading online retailer of bedding and home accessories, for its Buy One, Give One campaign. Through the end of March, The Company Store will match every purchase of a comforter with a donation of a comforter to a child served by Family Promise Affiliates nationwide. They have committed to donating between 10,000 and 20,000 to Affiliates throughout the campaign.

In addition, Affiliate staff, board members, volunteers and other supporters can purchase comforters themselves at a 20% discount by entering the promo code BOGO20 on The Company Store website. This is the perfect opportunity for supporters to donate a truly meaningful gift to families in need while purchasing high quality comforters at a substantial savings.

Please spread the word about this wonderful initiative. Remember, every comforter sold means a brand new Company Store comforter in the hands of a homeless child this winter. What better way to support the work our Affiliate is doing than by giving the gift of warmth and comfort this winter?

So, help us get the word out about Buy One, Give One. Inform your congregations. Email your volunteers and friends. Post a link to Buy One, Give One on your Facebook and Twitter pages. Encourage all of your contacts to visit The Company Store’s Buy One, Give One page to learn more about the campaign.

Help us make a difference to the families we serve this winter.

Taizé Type Service to Benefit Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network (SCIHN) / Family Promise

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Be still and know that I am God

Please join us for a Taizé type service to benefit Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network (SCIHN) / Family Promise. This will be a candle-lit ecumenical service with Scripture, meditative silence, prayer, and song. Christians of all traditions share in this ecumenical group. Through Taizé, participants can enjoy a community setting, and remain open to the voice of God and discover the prayer within themselves. Taizé prayer is a meditative common prayer meant to foster reconciliation and peace. Taizé is a time of slowing down and pulling back from the busyness and cacophony of sound that bombards us every day. It is a gift to the community that all might develop peace in their souls and with each other.

Please join us on Saturday, February 4th at 5:00 pm at the Waterloo United Methodist Church in Waterloo Village. Donations received during the service will go to SCIHN / Family Promise to support the homeless in Sussex county. For directions and contact information, please visit us at: www.waterloochurch.com

Housing and Mortgages on Affordable Housing

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

http://www.mortgageloan.com/affordable/

Guest Accomplishments

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Congratulations to Collen and Robert on the birth of their beautiful baby girl Sophia Elizabeth born 1-6-2012 @ 2:06am 6 lbs. 1 ounce 20 inches long. Best of luck to the both of them.

Dine to Donate at the County Seat in Newton, NJ

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Please join us the week of January 23-28 as we Dine to Donate at the County Seat in Newton, NJ.

Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network (SCIHN)/Family Promise is hosting a Dine to Donate fundraiser to raise money for homeless families in Sussex County. SCIHN/Family Promise unites local congregations and community resources to provide meals and shelter, as well as working with families to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency.

Beginning Monday, January 23, the County Seat will calculate 10% of the subtotal of all of the checks paid by guests who come in on behalf of Interfaith. When dining this week please make sure that you mention that you are dining to benefit SCIHN/Family promise and place your guest check in the SCIHN box.

Thank you for your support!!!

New Jersey Nets Send Family Promise Kids Shopping

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The New Jersey Nets’ team mascot, Sly the Silver Fox, led 25 children from Family Promise Affiliates in northern New Jersey, on a shopping spree at Toys “R” Us in Paramus on December 14th. Representatives from the Nets, Toys “R” Us and Family Promise Affiliates in Sussex, Essex and Morris counties took part in the pre-holiday festivities.

Each child was presented with a $200 gift card and turned loose in the aisles of Toys “R” Us. With Sly’s help, they quickly filled their carts with video games, doll houses and action figures. It was hard to tell who was having more fun—the kids or their parents.

Sussex County Director Julie Schuldner said, “The generosity of the Nets provided our children with the opportunity to select their own gifts at Toys R Us this holiday season, always a particularly challenging time for homeless families. In the words of one young shopper, ‘This was the best day of my life.’”

The shopping spree was funded by the NETS Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic arm of NETS Basketball, as part of its Season of Giving initiative. It followed on the heels of the Nets’ donation of 125 turkey dinners to families at our Bergen and Morris County Affiliates over the Thanksgiving holidays.

Thanks very much, Nets. Your generosity is making a difference for families in need throughout New Jersey this holiday season.

(Article published at familypromise.org)

2nd Annual Luminary Night - December 10th 2011

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On Saturday, December 10th, we invite you to join us as we illuminate Sussex County with candles, burning with neighborly kindness, to assist the lives of homeless families.

The Squires of Blessed Kateri, a division of the Knights of Columbus, are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Luminary Night this Saturday and 100% of the proceeds will benefit Interfaith Hospitality Network for homeless efforts. Kits may be purchased for $10.00 at Greene’s Beans or Blessed Kateri in Sparta. Each kit includes bags, candles, and sand to light the walk outside your house.

We hope you will join us to make this special event a success. For more information, please contact www.blessedkateri.org or www.scihn.org or Interfaith at 973-579-1180.

Thank you in advance for your support and participation!

Blessed Kateri Squires light up the town to help the homeless

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On Saturday, December 10, 2011 luminary kits will light up Sussex County to bring awareness to the homeless population in our county. Members of the Blessed Kateri Squires sold 300 luminary kits last year raising $2,200 for Sussex County Interfaith Hospitaltiy Network.

The kits are ten dollars and included bags, sand, and votive candles. The kits can be purchased at Greene's Beans,31 Theatre Center, Sparta or by contacting the SCIHN office 973-579-1180.

Box City Date Change to April 21, 2012

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Each year for the past five years IHN along with Pass it Along host a youth educational event at the Sussex County Fair grounds giving High School youth the opportunity to experience and learn about what the homeless population faces.

If you would like to participate you must register with a group and an adult chaperone for every 5 teens. There is a $25 registration fee which includes, a t-shirt, box to sleep in, a light meal and an experience of a life time.

If you have question please contact IHN 973-5791180 or Pass it Along 973-726-9777.

We will be hosting our 5th Box City event starting Saturday, April 21,2012 overnight to 8am Sunday, April 22,2012.

Volunteer Training/Refresher October 12, 2011

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network receives grant

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network recently was awarded a grant for $15,000 from The John and Margaret Post Foundation to continue providing services to homeless families and single women in Sussex County.

The John and Margaret Post Foundation provides support to charitable organizations that benefit the quality of life, primarily in Northwest New Jersey.

13th Annual Dinner Auction

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network's major fundraiser was held on April 2, 2011 at Perona Farms, Andover NJ. With close to 200 people in attendance, we enjoyed the entertainment and talents of the Hontz Family, shared a gourment meal together, laughted and raised money for a good cause.

Updated 2011 Hosting Schedule

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Project Homeless Connect

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On Wednesday, January 26th the Sussex County Continuum of Care to End Homelessness with the help of local agencies participated in the State wide mandated homeless count. The event, "Project Homeless Connect" in conjunction with th state mandated homeless count provided a day of services and give away items to participants. Each year during the last week in January the state of New Jersey mandates a count of the homeless population in each county. The count is captured by individuals completing a survey with the help of a trained professional.

Sussex County Interfaith provided space for free haircuts at the Day Center in Newton. Tthe talents of Ada, owner of Escape Salon and Spa, Dover, Suzette, George Michael Salon, Newton and Karen, Mancuso Salon & Spa, Sparta donated their time and talents providing free haircuts and styles.

Participating Agencies:

Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network
Center for Prevention and Counseling
Public Health Nursing
United Way of Sussex County
St. Clares Behavioral Health
Healthfirst NJ
Advancing Opportunities
Project Self Sufficiency
Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services
Birth Haven
Advance Housing
Sussex County Division of Social Services
Legal Services of Northwest Jersey
Saint Clares Community Outreach
The NJ Cancer Education and Eary Detection Program
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention Services
Sussex County Division of Senior Services
Samaritan Inn
Partnership for Social Services.

Luminary Night

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Join us as we illuminte Sussex County with candles to assist the lives of homeless familes. On December 11, 2010 please join us as we light up Sussex County with burning neighborly kindness by lighting candles to bring awareness to the homeless in our county. Purchase a kit for $10 which includes bags, candles, and sand to light the walk way outside your home.

Profits to benefit Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network. This event is sponsored by the Blessed Kateri Knights of Columbus Squires Circle #5177 for more information or to purchase a kit please contact the SCIHN office at 973-579-1180.

www.blessedkateri.org

Fast Facts About Homelessness and Poverty

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Families with children comprise one of the fastest-growing segments of the homeless population today.
13% of Americans live in poverty, including one in five children, the highest rate in the industrialized world.
42% of homeless children are under the age of 6.
Almost 60% of Americans will spend at least one year below the poverty line at some point between ages 25 and 75.
There is no city or county anywhere in the United States where a worker making the minimum wage can afford a fair market rate one-bedroom apartment.
The cost of rent and utilities for a typical two-bedroom apartment has increased 35% in less than 10 years.
2 million additional American children will fall victim to the foreclosure crisis over the next two years.

But there is hope. Find out how you can get involved to make a difference in the lives of homeless families.