Our History
The Interfaith Homeless Outreach Council (IHOC) was founded in 1991 to provide multiple services for homeless men, women, and children. However, IHOC’s primary focus is helping homeless men become self-supporting and move into permanent housing. This is achieved via our two main programs, the Homeless Hospitality Network, and IHOC’s Transitional Housing Program.
Starting in 1991, when IHOC was founded, our major program has been the Homeless Hospitality Network. This program serves 12 homeless men for 28 weeks. The men are housed in Camden County churches and synagogues from November to May moving from one host congregation to another host congregation every 2 weeks. During the program, the men receive counseling which is focused on helping them address the reasons for their homelessness, as well as case management focused on helping the men obtain an income and housing. Additionally, hundreds of volunteers provide meals, overnight hosting, and caring conversation while the men are living in the congregations. Operating the Network during COVID was not feasible, as the chances of a homeless guest infecting other guests and/ or the volunteers became a possibility. As a result of COVID, the Network has been temporarily discontinued since that time, but we hope to have the program operating at full capacity again soon!
In conjunction with the Network, IHOC has operated a Transitional Housing Program since 1994. The original Transitional Home was located in Lawnside, New Jersey and could accommodate up to 6 men. A majority of the men living in the Transitional Home had been in the Network, had “graduated” from the Network, and were ready for more independent living. The men were able to live in the Transitional Home for 12 months with continuous support from IHOC including case management and counseling. The Transitional Home was called the Dambly House in memory of our dedicated Board member, John Dambly. Using the house was possible because of the generosity of the Chapel of the Annunciation, which leased the parish house to IHOC for $1 a year. Unfortunately, the property was sold in 2017.
At that same time, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Cherry Hill offered one of their parish houses to IHOC for transitional housing. The home located at 102 Chapel Avenue can accommodate up to 3 homeless guests for 12 months. Even through COVID, IHOC was able to keep the Transitional Housing Program operating, and it continues to do so to this day!
Also since our founding, IHOC has run two annual campaigns for homeless men, women, and children with its Adopt-A-Box and Pack-A-Sack programs. Adopt-A-Boxes are shoeboxes filled with personal care items such as toothbrushes, tooth paste, shampoo, etc. Pack-A-Sacks are backpacks for children starting the school year and filled with various school supplies. These contributions are delivered to area homeless shelters and to other locations that serve those in need.
COVID heightened the recognition that homelessness is a significant problem in Camden County and the need for more transitional housing was clearly understood. Consequently, IHOC decided to look for a second property to add to this Program. IHOC found a second property at 802 Station Avenue in Haddon Heights and has recently purchased the house. The new home will be called Serenity House and will be a $1.4 million dollar undertaking. We realize buying the property, obtaining funding for the mortgage, necessary renovations, and maintaining the property will be a huge Leap of Faith for IHOC, but we believe it is one worth taking!
IHOC is excited about this opportunity and is looking forward to the generosity of our many supporters helping to make Serenity House a reality.