Mission Statement Inspired, strengthened and sustained by faith, the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing is committed to confronting the unconscionable and unacceptable reality of homelessness in New York City. Recognizing society's shared responsibility and working as partners with those who have experienced homelessness, the Assembly will mobilize communities of faith to empower all people, to advocate public policies to eliminate homelessness, and to strive for the transformation of society.

United in our faith, we proclaim that housing is a basic human right
and declare that a shelter is no substitute for a decent home.

Education Outreach Program

The Interfaith Assembly developed the Education Outreach Program (EOP) in 1990 in partnership with NY Catholic Charities. EOP is a 12-week, 24-session program designed to assist men and women who have been homeless. The EOP is currently offered at two sites where two semesters are held each year. Three basic elements of EOP are:

• life skills sessions including personal goal setting, time and money management, parenting skills, and dealing with stress and conflict;

• a mentor program for help with personal goal setting; and

• assisting participants to develop their personal stories of homelessness as part of their recovery from that trauma.

Life Skills Program

Using the EOP model, the Assembly developed a modified Life Skills Program, which is currently being offered in conjunction with the New York City Public School Districts to parents of children in the public schools who are residing in transitional housing.

The goal of this 8-session program is to address the needs and struggles of women and men who have experienced homelessness and have, in many cases, deficits in both formal education and stable family life. Facilitators for these programs were themselves homeless at one time.

The Life Skills Program encourages participants to address the trauma associated with becoming homeless, and the emotional stresses that might have contributed to the circumstances leading to their homelessness – such as abuse, isolation, addiction, and critically low self-esteem.

Sessions cover some of the same topics as the EOP program addressing issues of empowerment, positive self-image, values clarification, conflict resolution and communication skills. Participants are encouraged to apply these basic life skills for independent living to their daily lives.

A unique aspect of the program is the opportunity for participants to share their personal stories and move towards resolution of many feelings that have been suppressed – such as disorientation, hopelessness, loss of trust, isolation, sense of "invisibility," feelings of persecution and rage. A typical session includes an inspirational reading, followed by individual reflection, a presentation or discussion of the session topic led by the facilitators, and journal writing.

Participants develop leadership skills by rotating co-facilitation of sessions.

Work-Site Internship

The Work-Site Internship provides an opportunity to secure meaningful employment for men and women who have been homeless and who have graduated from one of the Assembly-sponsored life skills programs and demonstrated a commitment to self-reliance.

The Internship period begins with a two-week intensive which approximates a real work environment. The intensive includes work in an on-site computer training lab to assist participants in developing their computer-related work skills. Upon satisfactory completion of the intensive, a referral is made for an interview to a work-site identified through our contacts with local businesses, program sponsors, and members of religious congregations.

The internship placement is for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. During this time, participants have a true workplace experience in a field in which they might seek permanent employment. They establish relationships that could result in an entry-level, paid position either there or in a similar company.

Assembly staff assist participants in identifying opportunities for additional training, education and employment, help them to develop resumes and cover letters to prospective employers, and provide other needed support.

Speakers Bureau

The Interfaith Assembly Speakers Bureau consists of individuals who have graduated from the Education Outreach Program. The Bureau was developed to assist formerly homeless men and women to recover from the trauma of their homelessness, and to aid all concerned New Yorkers to better understand the homeless crisis and ways to address it.

Speakers Bureau participants are committed to helping others understand the crisis of homelessness by being available to speak about their own life experiences. Their individual stories help the listener to understand homelessness on a more personal level. They provide a powerful example of how those who have struggled can find within that struggle the power to inspire others to action.

In addition to personal testimony, presentations provide information about how New York's religious community and others can impact public policies that have helped to create and sustain homelessness.

Presentations are offered to youth groups, congregations, educational institutions (for teachers, students, parents) community organizations, corporations and others. Presentations normally include two formerly homeless people and an Assembly staff member.

To offset the honorarium the Assembly provides to speakers and related expenses, groups are encouraged to make a contribution to the program in the range of $150 to $250.

Public Policy Advocacy

In addition to these programs, the Assembly advocates for public policy to address responsibly the crisis of homelessness. For information about these efforts, please contact us.

How You Can Help

Work-Site Internship Program

• Assist the Assembly to identify potential work sites through your congregation, community organization or company.

Speakers Bureau

• Help us to arrange for your congregation or organization to host a Speakers Bureau presentation.

• Offer to serve as a mentor for a member of our speakers bureau.

Life Skills Program

• Offer to serve as a volunteer presenter on a topic in which you have expertise.

• Help to provide donations of items needed by the families of our participants such as household items or new toys or clothes for children.

Public Policy Advocacy

• Request, study and discuss with others the public policy analyses which the Assembly publishes from time to time.

• Contact your elected representatives in the City Council, State Legislature, or Congress to urge that they support measures designed to bring an end to conditions which foster chronic homelessness.

Financial Support

• Become an Individual or Institutional supporter of the Interfaith Assembly and its programs through your tax-deductible donation.

The Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing is a coalition of religious organizations and individuals working with and on behalf of homeless, poorly housed, and at-risk individuals.

The Interfaith Assembly, founded in 1986 at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, is tax-exempt under IRC §501(c)(3). Contributions to the Interfaith Assembly are fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing
48 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
Telephone: (212) 316-3171
FAX: (212) 862-6119
Rev. Robert Brashear, Chair, Governing Council
Marc L. Greenberg, Executive Director
Website: www.iahh.org