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 face homelessness each year, according to the 2023 San Diego County “Point in Time Count."


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

Key to Success

The key is a 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.

Partnerships are vital to ISN. The combined skills, knowledge, and resources between organizaztions 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.

The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) guide how we work as a team with our volunteers and our partner organizations. These principles are key elements in our mission to serve and support those in need of shelter.

Diversity: Our organization celebrates the rich diversity of San Diego County, embracing the unique histories, identities, and experiences that each person brings. We recognize and will provide services to to all without regard to ethnic group identification, race, color, nation origin, creed, religion, age, sex, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or marital status. We believe that embracing diversity enhances our ability to address the multifaceted challenges of homelessness.

Equity: Guided by a conviction of the inherent dignity of all people, we are committed to ensuring fair access to opportunities and resources for everyone we serve. We strive to understand the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Our approach is informed by the understanding that equity involves recognizing different needs and doing what we can to find support and solutions for all individuals in our care.

Inclusivity: We are devoted to creating an inclusive environment, within our organization, our network, and in the places where services are provided. We want everyone who comes to ISN to feel acknowledged, respected, and valued. We seek to partner with congregations and organizations that promote a sense of belonging. We actively seek to involve the voices of those we serve in shaping our programs and policies, ensuring that their perspectives and needs are central to our mission.

Our commitment to DEI is a reflection of our values. We seek to improve our practices through ongoing reflection and dialogue, ensuring that our efforts align with our mission.

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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.

— 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.

2024 Board of Directors

Barb Stewart (Chair) - Retired, Educator

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

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

Chris Rader (Treasurer) – Retired, Pastor Journey Community Church

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

Phil Angelotti - Partner, Texel Ltd.

Brandon Duran (ex officio) - Director, ISN

ISN Board Members Celebrate with Honored Volunteers

Our Staff

Beci Rohkohl, Rotational Shelter Program Manager and Outreach Coordinator

Beci recruits, trains, and supports the congregations involved in the Rotational Shelter Program. Beci is the liaison between the agencies providing case management and the congregations hosting the unhoused. Her lifelong mission is to serve the community with compassion and kindness. 


Brandon Duran, Executive Director

Brandon works with the board of directors to ensure the mission of ISN is on track. He supports and equips the ISN staff. Brandon pursues the next step for ISN and positions the organization for growth. Brandon was drawn to ISN because he believes faith communities have a powerful and necessary role in addressing homelessness.


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.

Joe Zilvinskis, Director of Operations

Joe has served ISN for more than two decades in various roles. He has seen the programs of ISN change and evolve over that time. Over the years, Joe’s vital behind the scenes operational efforts have made it possible for the programs, volunteers, and congregations of ISN to make a positive difference.


Maria Garcia-Lopez, El Nido Transitional Living 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 as 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. 


Maria Victorino, El Nido Transitional Living Program Case Manager

Maria provides Case Management for the women at El Nido. She connects women to services and is an essential component to their healing and growth.


Manolo Guillen, Rotational Shelter Program Assistant Manager

Manolo works closely with Beci in the Rotational Shelter Program. He recruits, trains, and supports the congregations involved in the program and assists with the reporting. Manolo is motivated by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.

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

35+ 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 living program for women and childen 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 Living 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 for the unhoused.

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