ANNUAL REPORT FY 2012-2013

Providing housing and supportive services for homeless families throughout the

greater Montgomery County, Pennsylvania region since 1982.

P. O. Box 141, Ambler, PA 19002 www.i-fha.org 215-628-2334

OUR MISSION

1

It is Inter-Faith Housing Alliance's mission to serve God by providing

charitable services to persons located in Montgomery County whose life

situations have become unstable. These charitable services shall include

homelessness prevention, temporary shelter, guidance in life skills and

assistance in locating appropriate housing opportunities, thus enabling

families at risk to remain in or return to independent living.

STAFF 2012-2013 Laura Wall, Executive Director

Jude Henzy, Lead Case Manager

Danielle Bossert, Program Director

Dulie Gray, Office Manager

Yashica Hamms, Lead Case Manager

Deb Koziol, Office Manager

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark Harris, President

James D. King, Vice president

Joyce Wheeler, Secretary

Peter Simon, Treasurer

Lisa Brown

William Capers, Jr.

Ginnie Davidov

Ronald Flaherty

Graham Kilshaw

Margaret Koller**

Rev. Charles W. Quann*

David T. Reed, M.D.*

Stan Richelson

Rick Rodes

Tonya Trent*

Rev. Hillary West**

Alma Willis

Tom Wynn

*retired 2012

**elected 2013

The board of directors holds the legal fiduciary responsibility for all aspects of a nonprofit

organization. They volunteer their time and expertise. They are wholly committed to the

mission and work of Inter-Faith Housing Alliance! Thank you to the members of the board

who served I-FHA 2012-2013.

OUR PROGRAMS

2

Inter-Faith Hospitality Network Shelter Program

The Inter-Faith Hospitality Network (IHN), a program of Family Promise, provides

homeless families in Montgomery County with shelter stays of up to 90 days, and

comprehensive support services. Now in the 24th year of operation, the IHN utilizes twenty

congregations to house and support families while in the program. For one month out of

the year, twelve “host congregations” convert classrooms into private bedrooms for

families. Congregational volunteers from both host and “buddy congregations”, provide

overnight supervision in the buildings, dinner each night and transportation. In the

morning, families return to the Day Center adjacent to Inter-Faith offices, where staff

provides important counseling, case management and support services. Shelter program

referrals come from congregations and other social service agencies but primarily from the

clients in need. After 90 days, families leave shelter for permanent, positive or transitional

housing and continue to receive limited support services as part of Inter-Faith’s graduate

program.

IHN Shelter Family Highlights

Total numbers housed

Individuals 43

Families 13

Adults 14

Children 29

“It’s an opportunity to draw the congregation together for a common goal.” Congregational Host Coordinator

Two male-headed households, one two-parent household and ten female-headed households

Average length of stay in the program was 53 days

Six families moved into Inter-Faith’s transitional housing program, Hope Gardens

Two families moved directly into permanent housing.

Congregational volunteers form the backbone of the IHN program by providing

transportation, a listening ear, meals and overnight supervision. Though families receive

intensive case management almost daily and meet with a therapeutic counselor at least

once per week, volunteers spend a lot of time with the families over dinner, for evening

activities and during car rides. The program uses an average of 100 volunteers per month .

OUR PROGRAMS

3

IHN Shelter Congregation Highlights

In calendar year 2012 congregations reported

a total of 927 volunteers that participated in

the IHN program.

In calendar year 2013 to date, congregations

reported almost 700 volunteers participated

from January to September.

One brand new congregation joined the

program as a buddy serving different hosts

during two months

Two former host congregations became

buddies

A buddy congregation increased their

participation by becoming a host and continued to buddy during another month

Transitional Housing Program – Hope Gardens

This program provides a transitional step for homeless families progressing from crisis to stability with stays of up to two years in a community environment coupled with supportive case management services. Created in 1995 specifically designed for the transitional housing program, Hope Gardens is an eight-unit building in Ambler consisting of two, three and four bedroom apartments.

While in the program, families receive comprehensive support services to ensure their self-sufficiency and return to independence. Full Time Case Management helps each family develop practical, attainable goals, which include creating a workable budget, obtaining childcare, finding employment, applying for subsidized and permanent housing, and creating a savings plan.

Each parent residing at Hope Gardens may choose to receive bi-weekly, on-site, individual counseling to help them address the trauma caused by, or which precipitated, their homelessness. Therapeutic counseling is critical to our parents’ ability to care for themselves and their families, intentionally improving their decision-making abilities, and developing the internal resources necessary to be self-sufficient.

“My wife and I

receive more from

the program than

we give.”

Congregational

Host Coordinator

OUR PROGRAMS

4

Transitional Housing Program Highlights

Total numbers housed

Individuals 37

Families 13

Adults 13

Children 24

All female-headed households

Average length of stay was 1 year

Parents are required to attend monthly educational programs which seek to strengthen parents’ life skills and knowledge, assisting them on their journey to

independence. Programs are designed to meet the needs of the current residents and build on their already existing skill sets. Programs can include financial literacy, budgeting and credit repair; positive parenting techniques; self- and stress-management; insurance for home, life and auto; household safety and organization.

Educational Program Highlights

Linda Ruth Paskell, professor at Arcadia University conducted a 5-week art project

with residents and displayed the work at a final exhibit in December 2012.

Danette Reid of State Farm Insurance presented parents

with information and the procedures for obtaining life,

rental and auto insurance

Dr. Sarah Mooers of Organized Efficiency presented the

concepts of household organization including three

practical devices to ensure organization: The Bill tracker,

the Bin system and Cleaning/De-Cluttering techniques.

Nikki Holcroft of Genesis Housing Corporation presented

Money 101: A comprehensive workshop covering

budgeting, credit repair and savings

Margie Koller, CPA, presented a workshop on Career

Readiness and Job interviewing

Brendan Johnson from Drexel University presented a list

of online career and job resources Paintings done by parents at Hope Gardens as part of the Artist in the Community Series.

photo credit: Linda Ruth Paskell

“I learned how to stay

positive and optimistic, even

when the going got rough…I

was able to accomplish my

goals because of staff and

congregational support

[which included] minimizing

stress, access to multiple

resources and

accountability.” Shelter and

Hope Gardens graduate

OUR PROGRAMS

5

Prevention Program

Inter-Faith seeks to reduce and prevent future homelessness through the provision of stabilizing and supportive services. Inter-Faith staff help resolve callers’ problems by linking them to needed services using a categorized Resource Guide spanning four counties. Inter-Faith also provides services to callers directly in the form of a one-time rental or utility payment to avert homelessness or hotel stays for emergency shelter. The Abington Food Cupboard, overseen by Inter-Faith, is another critical and increasingly important component of our prevention services serving local low-income households.

FY 2012-2013 Inter-Faith received just under 1,000 calls for assistance.

Top 5 request sources: Norristown, Ambler, Lansdale, Willow Grove & Abington

The Abington Food Cupboard filled over 1100 requests

Graduate ProgramInter-Faith’s graduate program seeks to increase the long-term stability of former program

families through the provision of case management, financial assistance and holiday

programs. Graduates have overcome their family’s homelessness by maintaining

employment, obtaining affordable childcare, reducing their debt, and creating a workable

savings plan – in many cases, for the first time in their lives

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Rental (310)

Utilities (77)

Shelter (533)

Call Type

and Total #s

OUR PROGRAMS

6

Holiday Giving Program

29 families received gifts and food baskets o 14 Graduate families o 8 Hope Gardens residents o 3 IHN Shelter families o 4 low-income families from the community

20 sponsoring organizations and individuals provided donated items

Organizational Volunteers

In addition to the 1,000 volunteers from the twenty network congregations that support

the IHN Shelter Program there a number of volunteers from other congregations and

non-congregational sources that support other aspects of Inter-

Faith. Board members contribute their time in meeting once per

month, on specified committees and for special events. Two

volunteer men give approximately twenty hours per month to the

upkeep and maintenance of the Hope Gardens building.

Presenters for the Hope Gardens Educational Programs and

childcare volunteer their time, not only for the workshop, but also

their time in preparing for it. Groups like the Eagle Scouts,

brownie troops and corporations do food drives, clean-up projects

and paint the apartments. Congregations, rotary and social clubs

sponsor Hope Gardens apartments both year-round and for special holidays. One

congregation each Valentine’s Day makes meals and fills boxes with food and household

products for the Hope Gardens families.

In calendar year 2012, 142 volunteers contributed 1,216 hours.

From January to September of 2013, 100 volunteers contributed 800 hours of

service.

Two local high school girls

spent two months creating a mural

for Hope Gardens signifying

community, hope and confidence in

oneself for a positive future.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

7

Fiscal year 2013 was another year of service and partnership between Inter-Faith

Housing Alliance and volunteers, congregations, financial donors from all sectors,

community organizations, and other human services providers. The families we served

were eager to use the opportunity provided by I-FHA to move out of homelessness. Their

determination and perseverance continually inspired us!

Inter-Faith Housing Alliance faced two particular challenges this past fiscal year. The first

is our joint Montgomery County-wide effort with other shelter and housing providers,

private foundation funders, and government agencies, to assess our effectiveness and

efficiency. We want to be part of this effort, called “Your Way Home,” yet also keep the

distinctiveness of the Inter-Faith Housing Alliance programs.

The second challenge was the fire in Hope Gardens in April 2013. Thankfully, no person

was injured. Smoke and water damage, though, displaced all our residents for a time, and

repairs took months. We are grateful to all who helped us through that difficult time.

Fiscal Year 2012 – 2013 (Unaudited)

June 30, 2013

INCOME

Contributions 145,890

Special Events 42,570

Foundation Grants 89,000

Government Grants 47,566

Rent/Program Fees 22,366

Insurance Claim/Other 86,620

TOTAL INCOME 434,012

EXPENSE

Program 336,690 (72%)

Administration 131,545 (28%)

TOTAL EXPENSE 468,235

TOTAL ASSETS 225,588

TOTAL LIABILITIES 40,466

TOTAL EQUITY 185,122

The good work of the Inter-Faith Housing Alliance is made possible by the generous support of our funders. A complete list of donors can be found on our website.