Interfaith support and shelter for homeless families in San Mateo County.

Come and support our guests and learn more about yourself at the same time. This interfaith program has a high success rate in returning homeless families to stability and is the cornerstone of our outreach program. 

Our next hosting opportunity will be:
March 18-24 (click on the link to sign up for that week)

Instructions for Setup, Take Down, Dinner Hosting, Evening Hosting, and Overnight hosting are all below.

How to Sign Up

How to sign up:
On the signup page, you will see all the 2 volunteer slots available for each activity (dinner, evening, overnight) for each day. Any slots that have already been taken will have the volunteer's name listed there. You will need to:
  1. Pick a slot: Click the"Sign Up" button next to the time slot you desire
  2. Add your name: Enter your name and email address (or SignUp Genius login name if you have one; but that's optional and not required). The name you enter will appear in the main form, so if you don't want your real name to appear, you can pick a different one. 
  3. Click the Sign Up Now button: you're signed up.
  4. Verify: Go back to the signup sheet and you'll see that you are now signed up for the slot with the name you entered in the previous step. 
If at some point you need to make a change, you can come back to the sign up form and click the button near the top called "I need to change my signup". This will prompt you to enter your email address. The sign up system will send you an email, and you can click on the link in that email to remove your signup. You'll get a different link to click for each slot you've signed up for so you can pick which slot you want to remove. Once you click on that link, change the quantity from "1" to "0", click on "Revise My SignUp", and you're done.

How to Take Down

Please arrive by 12:30 p.m. on the last Sunday of our host week. When locating empty boxes, unused equipment, etc.:

OUR STUFF is in the hall closet (between the offices and the bathroom), or in the bell tower (the door to the bell tower is in Monica's office).

DAY CENTER STUFF is near the piano

STEP ONE:Strip beds.  Put matching sheets in the same black trash (laundry) bag.  Mark the bag “IHN dirty laundry.”  Put in a “laundry instruction sheet.”  Put bag in the hallway.

Fold blankets and return them to the zippered blanket bags (located in the corner of the living room area), two blankets per bag.  Put them in the bell tower.

STEP TWO:Take cots out of tents.  Break them down and put it into Rotation.

STEP THREE:Take down tents:
  1. Remove lanterns – put them in the plastic box in the hall closet (be sure each one has a recharger stored in the base).  Rechargers are usually kept on the kitchen counters. 
  2. Remove tent sides in one piece (don’t zip them apart).  Fold them and put them in OUR box and put in hall closet. 
  3. Lower the tents:  find the silver ball/button at the top of each corner – push it and slide the legs up (watch for pinched fingers!). 
  4. Remove smoke detectors – put OURS in the plastic box in the hall closet, and the ones that belong to the day center in the box near the piano. 
  5. One person at each crossbar, hold where it says “Pull here” and walk the sides in, shaking them, ‘till the tent poles are compact. 
  6. Put tent poles in their black bags, and put them outside to be collected by the van driver.  Put the tent sides belonging to the Day Center outside for the van (you’ll find them in a big plastic box near the piano). 
STEP FOUR:Put toys, books, etc. back in their boxes.  Put them in the hall closet.

Put any remaining Transfiguration stuff in the bell tower or hall closet.

Put any remaining Day Center stuff outside for the van driver.

When the van arrives:Review the inventory checklist with van driver before loading equipment. Check to be sure that ONLY Day Center items are loaded onto the van.  Help driver load the van.

STEP SIX:Leave two long tables set up for coffee hour.

Spread chairs out, if necessary, to make room for people to sit down during coffee hour.

Throw out any perishable food that’s in the H&H refrigerator or on the counter.

Run vacuum cleaner over carpet.

Check kitchen for final clean-up.

Setup Instructions

Please arrive by 1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of our host week.

Sheets, blankets, mattress covers, and diapers are all stored in the bell tower, in office that’s at the end of the hallway. The blankets, sheets and mattress cover are stored as complete sets – one set in each plastic zippered bag. Tent sides, toys, books, lanterns and flashlights are located in the closets in the hallway between the offices and the church hall.

When storing empty boxes, unused equipment, etc.:

OUR STUFF goes back in the closet or bell tower

DAY CENTER STUFF goes near the piano

STEP ONE:Move tables, chairs, etc. Put all but two folding tables, and all folding chairs, in storage closet on far wall (near the kitchen).

Set up two long tables (for dinner) near kitchen; put 12-16 non-folding chairs around it.

Stack remaining non-folding chairs against wall by the main entrance wall (where the piano is).

Check that emergency exit (through back room in kitchen) is clear.

STEP TWO:Throw the following down from the bell tower:
  • Bedding sets for the number of guests expected, plus 2 sets (check to see how many sets of children’s sheets we need). Each bedding set should be in a zippered bag, and includes 2 sheets, 2 blankets and a mattress pad.
  • Diaper and wipes, if necessary – store them in the bathroom.
Get the rest of the equipment/supplies from the closet:
  • Tent sides
  • Box of lanterns (test them to make sure they work), smoke alarms and alarm clock.
  • Toys, books, etc. for guests (check guest list to see what we’ll need) -- store them neatly in the living room area.
When van arrives: After unloading the equipment, review the inventory list with the driver and sign.

STEP THREE: Set up Tents:Tent poles arrive on the van. We use OUR tent sides on the tents. The tent sides that arrive on the van should be stored under the piano.

Set up tents:
  1. Four people; each person grabs a side crossbar where it says “Pull here” (it’s only written on two of the sides). Shake the bars while stepping backward and the poles will unfold.
  2. Attach a smoke detector to the very top of the tent.
  3. At each vertical pole, find the silver ball/button – push it to extend the legs to their full height. Watch out for pinched fingers!
  4. Attach the tent sides around the outside with Velcro.
  5. Hang a WORKING lantern in each tent.
STEP FOUR: Set up Beds:Inflatable beds will arrive on the van. Store unused beds in an empty tent. REMOVE DAY CENTER MATTRESS COVERS and store them neatly near the piano.

Inflate beds (one for each expected IHN guest, and two extra for overnight hosts). Unplug from wall after inflated and store cords in bed. Make beds according to the guest list that’s taped on the tent side (using children’s sheets for the children, when possible). Make each bed with one blanket, and put one blanket folded at the foot of each bed. Use OUR mattress covers, sheets and blankets.

Set-up:
  1. Plug in the mattress cord directly into an outlet, or use the approved extension power-strip provided by IHN (in Rotation).
  2. Press the in-cord “One Touch” button switch to activate the pump and fill the mattress.
  3. Fill to moderately firm, NOT HARD. Use good judgment. The pump is made to NOT over-inflate.
  4. Unplug mattress cord and insert a twist-tie wire (provided in Rotation). This is to discourage Guests from plugging in the mattress cord themselves.
  5. Make the bed utilizing the mattress cover. This will help prevent moisture buildup due to the plastic surface. The up-side has the fiber surface.
  6. Place the mattress directly on the floor, not on top of any object (to avoid puncture).
STEP FIVEStore all extra IHN Day Center items near/under the piano (neatly).

Store all extra Transfiguration boxes, etc. back up in the closets. Store 2 extra sets of bedding neatly behind tent near living room area.

Inside tents:Each tent needs a lantern, and a smoke alarm clipped inside the top of the tent. Test lanterns to make sure the batteries are working (smoke alarms will have been tested at the Day Center ).

Storage: Store blanket bags, boxes, etc. that the equipment and sheets were stored in, and any IHN equipment that belongs to Transfiguration in the closet.

Put any equipment that belongs to the Day Center that WON’T be used this week (tent sides, some lanterns, etc.) on and under the piano.

Thanks for helping! That was quick, wasn’t it?

Dinner Hosting

Time:  6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

GUIDELINES:
  1. Please arrive at the Parish Hall between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. to prepare for dinner.  The IHN van arrives at approximately 6:30 p.m. Please advise the Evening Activity Host where the key is. 
  2. When you arrive:  sign in the IHN binder (located in the kitchen).  This is where you record any situations that you feel the IHN Day Center staff should know about.  The binder also lists phone numbers and procedures you should follow in emergencies. 
  3. Please plan your meal for 15-20 people.  Please note:  we do not always know in advance exactly how many people will be present for dinner.  Please be prepared for food to be leftover. 
  4. Please keep meals simple, and to your taste.  Leftovers may be taken home, or offered to the guests for their lunches for the following day.  Any food left after take-down on Sunday will be thrown out. 
  5. Please prepare dinners at home, and use the kitchen for re-heating only.  It takes at least one half-hour for the ovens to preheat! 
  6. A brief grace before the meal, offered by hosts or guests, is appropriate. 
  7. Dinner can be served buffet style in the kitchen and then eaten at the tables in the Parish Hall, or served and eaten at the tables in the Parish Hall, whichever feels most appropriate for you. 
  8. Please help the IHN guests to prepare the next day’s lunches immediately after dinner, and place in the IHN refrigerator.  Lunch foods and condiments are available in the refrigerator and/or freezer. 
  9. Please clean up the kitchen (guests are usually more than happy to help with this chore), and make sure the dishwasher(s) are run that night. 
NOTES;
  1. The IHN refrigerator and cupboards contain staples, such as condiments, butter, milk, juice, etc. which can be used at the dinner hour. 
  2. Napkins, placemats, etc. are kept in the designated IHN cabinets.  Please do not use paper products from the general church supplies. 
  3. Paper sacks, plastic wrap, foil, etc. are available in the IHN supply cabinets. 
  4. We make every effort to keep adequate supplies on hand.  If supplies are needed please contact the church office. 
  5. There may be an instance where a guest will arrive late.  We will have given you that information in advance, and ask you to save a plate of dinner for the guest.  If a guest arrives late and you have NOT been notified in advance, that information must be written in the binder, and call the H&H coordinator the following day and let her know.  That is a serious infraction of IHN rules. 
  6. Downstairs?:  no one should be going downstairs (guests or hosts) for any reason.  If guests would like to use the playground after dinner, use the outside gate, and be sure there is an adult supervising at all times.  The key that opens the parish hall is the same one that opens the gate. 
  7. Medicine:  the medicine box has a key (attached – to keep it safe from children).  The guests will ask for their medicine when they need it, and will administer it themselves. 
  8. Tents are for the use of the guests only.  Hosts (and their children) should not enter any tents unless requested by the guest to adjust or replace a bed.

Evening Hosting

Time: 7:30 - 9:00 pm

When you arrive:  sign in the IHN binder (located in the kitchen).  This is where you record any situations that you feel the IHN Day Center staff should know about.  The binder also lists phone numbers and procedures you should follow in emergencies.

General Description: Staying in a shelter for weeks at a time is a very stressful, tiring period for our guests. The function of the Evening Host is to spend time with the children in order to give the guest parents a little time to rest. The guest parents may choose to rest or read in their tents during this time, or may enjoy the time to chat with other grown-ups -- in any case, they are available should a problem with a child emerge.

How many kids/ how old? We host up to 14 individuals, of which up to 8 have been kids. The ages are very unpredictable, as families move in and out of the program with little notice depending on their placement in this and other programs. I will do my best to keep you updated as to names, ages, and special circumstances via email.

Aerobeds:  please ask the guests if their beds need to have air added to them.  If so, you may enter the tent, pull the electrical cord out of its storage spot, and stick it under the tent flap for someone to grab and plug in to the outlet.  Add air as needed – if it feels very low, or you think there’s a leak, replace it with another bed (extras are stored downstairs near the piano).  Once the bed is inflated unplug the electrical cord and tuck it back inside the mattress. Click here for more information regarding the Aerobeds.

Tents are for the use of the guests only.  Hosts (and their children) should not enter any tents unless requested by the guest to adjust or replace a bed.

Safety/Structure: The first priority is safety, for the children and adults alike. Hosts should use their discretion to model safe supervision to avoid injuries and damage to property. Sensitivity to personal values is also important – for example, while you may think that a child should be doing her homework rather than watching a video, it's fine to encourage her but it's not our place to enforce our own values.

Bring your kids? The guest children usually develop friendships with each other, but also greatly enjoy the company of children from our church if you would like to bring your kids to play. Our teenagers make wonderful tutors and game directors! Past Evening Hosts have found that the time is very enriching for their children of all ages.

What to Bring: The activities vary depending on the children's ages – the church will have games, books puzzles, art materials and videos appropriate for all age of children. Evening Hosts have sometimes brought beads and cord or other art materials for a special treat for the kids, which is fun but not necessary.  Please check the ages of the guests before bringing anything – if there are any children under age 3 then don’t bring anything with small pieces.  A good rule is that if it could slip through a film canister it’s too small.

Late guests:  There may be an instance where a guest will arrive late.  We will have given you that information in advance.  If a guest arrives late and you have NOT been notified in advance, that information must be written in the binder, and call the H&H coordinator the following day and let her know.  That is a serious infraction of IHN rules.

Television:  the television and DVD player is in the hall closet.  If you choose to bring it out, the following guidelines apply:  any movies must be rated G or PG (nothing PG-13 or higher), video games are not allowed, televisions must be turned off at 9:30 p.m., and they are not allowed in the tents.

Outside Playground:  the key to the outside gate is the same that opens the front door (hanging behind the bench on the front porch of the parish hall).  There must be an adult supervising at all times, and please leave the playground clean and ready for the preschool the next day.

Medicine:  the medicine box has a key (attached – to keep it safe from children).  The guests will ask for their medicine when they need it, and will administer it themselves.

Downstairs?:  no one should be going downstairs (guests or hosts) for any reason.  Use the outside gate to get to the playground.

PLEASE TIDY UP THE TOYS AT THE END OF THE EVENING.  ASK THE KIDS TO HELP!

Overnight Hosting

As an overnight, host, you will spend time with our guest in the evening and morning, and be available through the night in case of emergency.  The following are general guidelines for the overnight shift.  We will contact you prior to your shift with additional details about the guests for this week.

Plan to arrive at the church a few minutes before 9:00 p.m.  An Aerobed will be provided, but please bring your own bedding.  You might want to bring earplugs (in case of snorers or crying babies).

When you arrive:  sign in the IHN binder (located in the kitchen).  This is where you record any situations that you feel the IHN Day Center staff should know about.  The binder also lists phone numbers and procedures you should follow in emergencies.

Check in with the early evening shift and get the church key.  Introduce yourself to our guests.

Prepare the coffee pot for the next morning.  Instructions are on top of the pot.  Make more juice, if necessary.  There are cans of juice concentrate in the IHN freezer, which is in the back room of the kitchen.

Tents are for the use of the guests only.  Hosts (and their children) should not enter any tents unless requested by the guest to adjust or replace a bed.  There may be an empty tent available for hosts to sleep in.  If not, hosts may sleep in the living area or in the hallway (which tends to be a little quieter).  Hosts may not sleep downstairs.

Aerobeds:  If a guest asks to have air added to his/her bed, you may enter the tent, pull the electrical cord out of its storage spot, and stick it under the tent flap for someone to grab and plug in to the outlet.  Add air as needed – if it feels very low, or you think there’s a leak, replace it with another bed (extras are stored downstairs near the piano).  Once the bed is inflated unplug the electrical cord and tuck it back inside the mattress. Look here for more information regarding the Aerobeds.

Television:  there is a television/DVD in the hall closet.  If it is used, the following guidelines apply:  any movies must be rated G or PG (nothing PG-13 or higher), video games are not allowed, televisions must be turned off at 9:30 p.m., and they are not allowed in the tents.

Medicine:  the medicine box has a key (attached – to keep it safe from children).  The guests will ask for their medicine when they need it, and will administer it themselves.

Lights out at 10:00 p.m.  Be sure the key is inside, and lock the front door.  There may be an instance where a guest will arrive after lights out.  We will have given you that information in advance.  Please listen for them and let them in.  If a guest arrives late and you have NOT been notified in advance, that information must be written in the binder, and call the H&H coordinator the following day and let her know.  That is a serious infraction of IHN rules.

Wake the guests at 6:00 a.m.  Set out breakfast food and coffee.

The van will pick the guests up at 7:00 a.m.  Give the medicine lockbox, lockbox key and log book to the van driver.

Clean up:  bathroom, breakfast dishes, empty trash cans in bathroom and kitchen, take trash and recycling to dumpsters in the parking lot (key to dumpsters is hanging on a hook near the big coffee maker).  Cleaning supplies are in the closet next to the bathroom with a box labeled for IHN.  If any of the guests’ linens are soiled please contact Jane Lintott.