About Us

— Our Mission

Interfaith Shelter Network’s mission is to enable those we serve to move toward self-sufficiency by coordinating the efforts of participating congregations, social service agencies, and governmental programs in order to provide shelter and other resources to unhoused individuals and families in the San Diego region.

— Who We Are

The Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) coordinates with faith-based communities, nonprofits, and social service agencies in order to serve San Diego’s unhoused and those at-risk of becoming homeless. As a part of the county's Continuum of Care, ISN offers programs to address the needs of situationally homeless individuals and families.

Homelessness has long been a pervasive problem in San Diego. Multiple factors cause more than 10,000 individuals to face homelessness each year. According to the 2024 San Diego County “Point in Time Count" those experiencing homelessness rose by 18%.


Since 1986, ISN has consistently engaged the community in a successful collaboration that responds to the needs of the unhoused. With our partners and volunteers, we provide trauma-informed and client-centered services that effectively address barriers to self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

Key to Success

The key is collaboration around a shared vision. We see a thread of dignity, responsibility, and hopeful purpose that weaves faith traditions together. These values enable faith communities to play an important role in addressing homelessness. ISN is proud to work with all people in order to extend shelter, respect, and resources to our unhoused neighbors. You do not need to be a part of a particular religion, or be religious at all, in order to believe that San Diego is an even better place when those in need have access to shelter, stability, and support.

We would love to partner with you in making this belief a reality.

ISN’s programs serve San Diego’s situationally homeless individuals and families. The situationally homeless have lost or are at-risk of losing their housing due to a traumatic life event. The loss of employment, illness, domestic violence, death or departure of a partner, underemployment, or inadequate working skills could all serve as a catalyst for homelessness. Nearly 80% of San Diego’s unhoused fit this category. The situationally unhoused are actively seeking to improve their lives and reestablish housing.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego does not discriminate. ISN's services and facilities are provided without regard to ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, sex, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, or marital status.


Partnerships are vital to ISN. The combined skills, knowledge, and resources between organizations can lead to transformational impact in the lives of the unsheltered. We work with dozens of faith communities throughout San Diego County. These congregations support the Rotational Shelter and the El Nido programs. Our programs are supported by organizations like the San Diego Women's Club and charitable organizations such as the Arlene and Michael Rosen Foundation. We partner with local governments as a part of the Continuum of Care and with other nonprofits in groups such as the Alliance for Regional Solutions. Our programs receive wrap-around support through our partnerships with organizations such as Family Health Center, Lifeline, and CAPE.


ISN is led by a volunteer board of directors and benefits from the contributions of over 1,000 volunteers every year. Volunteers come from faith communities, community groups, mutual friends, and local businesses. Together, their efforts provide shelter, basic necessities, and support as the situationally homeless work to get on their feet.

Mutually Affirming: ISN believes in the dignity of all people regardless of their circumstances. Through our partnerships and the populations we serve, ISN connects with people of varied backgrounds and life situations. All clients, collaborators, and colleagues are treated with equal respect, empathy, and appreciation. This value fuels our inclusivity and encourages us to amplify the perspectives of historically marginalized groups. Everyone we serve is worth our best effort as we support our clients in their journey toward self-empowerment. 


Purposeful Partnerships: ISN believes that collaboration creates solutions that are greater than the sum of their parts. Our inclusive nature invites partnership with all who seek to provide the unhoused with shelter and support that leads to self-sufficiency. With a team-oriented perspective, we strive to empower our partners and enable our volunteers in their vital work of supplying shelter and support. We empower our program participants in their search for housing and a new beginning. Together, we nurture the hope of housing for San Diegans.

 

Mindful Stewardship: ISN believes that the time, talent, and treasure offered by volunteers and supporters are investments in our mission. Volunteers and donors believe in our mission and trust our staff to utilize their gifts to realize that mission. We have a responsibility to donors, collaborators, volunteers, and guests to employ, with integrity and efficiency, the resources entrusted to us. ISN is committed to a mindful stewardship of the finances and relationships that fuel our efforts.

Our Impact

Ashley and her young daughter were starting out in a new life as recent El Nido Program graduates when the pandemic hit. Laid off from her job working with seniors, she called El Nido for support. Soon, she was enrolled in unemployment, taking on-line classes to complete her GED and with minimal food assistance, maintaining her household budget.

Learn more about ISN's impact in the 2024-2025 Summary of Services report.

"Interfaith's services help you get the strength and peace of mind to get your life back on track."

- Joseph C, Rotational Shelter Guest

— Our Board

We gratefully acknowledge the dedicated volunteers who serve on the ISN Board of Directors. Board Members have a committment to the ISN mission and programs. They have demonstrted a passion for addressing the needs of the unsheltered. Board members provide fiscal accountability, inspire staff, and ensure mission alignment.

2025 Board of Directors

Barb Stewart (Chair) - Retired, Educator

Laurel Hyde (Vice Chair) – Retired, Attorney Schwartz, Hyde & Garfield

Stacey LoMedico (Secretary) – Retired, City of San Diego

Phil Angelotti (Treasurer) - Partner, Texel Ltd.

Imam Taha Hassane – Imam/Director, San Diego Islamic Center

Gladys Vincent - Compliance Analyst, HarborView Senior Assisted Living

Brandon Duran (ex officio) - Director, ISN


ISN Board Members Celebrate with Honored Volunteers

Our Staff

Brandi Linn, Administrator

Brandi joins ISN with the purpose of serving the community and helping others. She keeps ISN's programs running smoothly through her accounting procedures and operations support. Brandi helps ISN live into its core values as we serve. She is a dedicated advocate and volunteer for domestic violence survivors. “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”


Brandon Duran, Executive Director

Brandon works with the ISN Board of Directors to guide ISN along the organization's mission and core values. He equips and supports the ISN staff as they inspire volunteers and lead ISN's programs. His role is to position the organization for growth and to pursue the next steps for ISN. Brandon believes in the power of faith communities to uplift the vulnerable and is inspired by a quote from Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."


James Skeet, Development  Director

James empowers ISN to act on its mission. His efforts to cultivate and develop partnerships enable ISN to continue its work and grow in new ways. He helps tell the story of how ISN’s relationships can affect the lives of the unhoused. “Being able to participate in the lives of those in need is my why.”

Manolo Guillen, Rotational Shelter Program Manager

Manolo guides the Rotational Shelter Program by equipping faith communities and volunteers in their desire to serve the unhoused. He recruits and trains the Host and Support Congregations involved in the program and leads our reporting efforts. Manolo is motivated by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”


Maria Garcia-Lopez, El Nido Transitional Housing Program Manager

Maria has guided the El Nido program for over a decade. She is dedicated to seeing the women of El Nido flourish and find a new beginning. Her work has ensured that over 90% of El Nido graduates have a lease in hand and are set up for success. One of Maria’s hopes is to continue to help break the cycle of domestic violence by helping to empower survivors, educating our community, and advocating for change. 


Michelle Garibay, El Nido Transitional Housing Case Manager

Michelle works closely with the women of the El Nido Program. She is passionate about bringing guidance and compassion to those in the program. Michelle is dedicated to ensuring the success of El Nido families and is hopeful for long-term rehabilitation post-program. 

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." - Maya Angelou

Our Financials

ISN is committed to earning your trust. These documents provide information on how we spend the dollars so generously donated in support of our mission. Below are audited financial statements, IRS Form 990, and CA Form 199.

— Our History

39 Years Serving & Helping

San Diegans In Need

Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) was founded in 1986, when the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) brought together a group of congregations and social service agencies to provide case managed emergency shelter at local congregations during the winter months. When the RTFH put out a request for an agency to take over the program in 1989, the Ecumenical Council of San Diego took the lead. The Rotational Shelter Program grew to include congregations throughout the region, either supplying shelter space or support.


In 1990, the Ecumenical Council added a transitional housing program for families. In 1997 this program evolved into "El Nido", a transitional housing program for women and children escaping domestic violence. El Nido is housed in a secure building, purchased with the help of a HUD grant.


The organization was renamed, "Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego" in 2010. In addition to the winter Rotational Shelter Program and the El Nido Transitional Housing Program, ISN has found ways to meet the needs of unhoused San Diegans. In 2014, ISN provided a Rapid Re-Housing Program to assist low-income households in acquiring or retaining permanent housing. During the pandemic, when congregational facilities were closed, ISN pivoted and fostered new partnerships to ensure the continued operation of the Rotational Shelter.


As ISN looks to the future, it will continue to leverage creativity and collaboration in order to find solutions that lead to self-sufficiency for the unhoused.

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