Why I Love ISN

The staff and volunteers at ISN are dedicated, creative, and full of compassion. I am convinced that each one of the volunteers has a story that inspires them to serve individuals and families experience homelessness. The story that inspires me began in the in mid 90s.

I was nervous the first time I shared a meal with John. The length and matting of John’s hair and beard made it difficult to see his facial features. His eyes, nose, and lips were engulfed in shadows. His clothes told the story of a hundred nights outside in skid row. I was in training to serve as a host for an organization that connected congregations to homeless service providers in downtown Los Angeles.

John didn’t say much during the first meal of roasted chicken and pupusas. I also didn’t ask very many questions. But I went back to look for him at least once a week. Over time John shared more of his story with me and listened to me share mine. His gentle and resonant voice made his humanity shine through an appearance that kept people at a distance. It was that friendship with John that shaped a trajectory in my life.

After that experience I joined churches and pushed for engagement with the unhoused. One faith community opened their sanctuary for a month as an emergency shelter for 30 people (more than the number of folks on a Sunday). I was part of an immigrant church that committed to regularly making and delivering dinner for 150 folks in a Tent City (they loved the Japanese curry). One church set up partitions in the Parish Hall, and borrowed home décor from their Thrift Shop to create a warm feel to their rotational shelter that provided safety and support for unhoused families. I have seen faith communities create feeding ministries that serve over 500 households a week and others that started training programs that taught congregations how to advocate for affordable housing. In some of these projects I had a leadership role and in some I was just another pair of hands looking to help. In all of them I saw the creativity, courage, and compassion of faith communities to make hope alive for those in need.

The Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) believes in the power of faith communities to make a tangible and transformative difference in the lives of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. We know that housing and homelessness cannot be addressed with a one-size-fits-all solution. ISN believes in the power of collaboration, that together we are more than the sum of our parts. By working with faith communities, social service agencies, and government programs we create a bridge for those seeking a new beginning.

I love working at ISN because I see the dedication and collaboration of congregations working together to host individuals and families in the Rotational Shelter Program. Congregations find life affirming and joyful ways to connect with guests in the program.

I love working at ISN because I see the creativity and compassion of congregations supporting women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness in the El Nido Transitional Living Program.

I love working at ISN because I am inspired by the faithfulness of volunteers and by the stories of realized hope in the guests of the program.

I would love to show you inside the programs of ISN and introduce you to the people who make these programs come alive. Please reach out to me and let’s find a time to connect. I’d love to discover ways your skills, talents, and presence could add to a network that is helping dozens of people find more stable housing every year.