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 Mary Burns (703-1631) 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!