Our next RAIHN Opportunity?
Our RAIHN dates are Friday February 19th and Saturday
20th. Sign up sheets are in the Foyer. Training will be held on Tuesday,
February 9th at 7 pm at Summerville Presbyterian Church. Contact Jennifer Canning at 387-9829 or click below with questions.
Click to email RAIHN Coordinator
Why be a RAIHN Volunteer?
First of all, what is RAIHN? RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that seeks to provide home for homeless families.
How does it do that? First, by providing temporary shelter for as long as needed (typically a month or two) and then assisting them in locating a job and/or a permanent home.
But exactly what happens? Under the coordination of RAIHN, 17 churches in the Rochester area each provide a week of overnight shelter, meals and companionship for up to 14 people (typically 2-3 families). Volunteers from that church and surrounding congretations prepare meals, stay overnight and provide support.
During the day, the families go to the RAIHN Day Center, from where the kids attend school and the parents are supported in their job and housing searches.
What can I do? As a member congregation of RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network), St. Paul’s is providing support to First Presbyterian Church in Pittsford the week of October 25th. When it's our turn to help, we need volunteers in the following capacities:
Dinner Set Up: 5 – 7 pm. 2 – 3 volunteers will perform last minute food preparations, set the tables, and eat the evening meal with the guests.
Dinner Clean Up: 5:30 – 7:30 pm. 2 – 3 volunteers will eat the evening meal with the guests, clear the tables, clean the kitchen and run the industrial dishwasher!
Dinner Preparation: Volunteers are needed to provide a main course, side dishes, and dessert for up to 20 people. Food can be prepared ahead of time or in the First Presbyterian kitchen. The evening’s menu will be determined by YOU in conjunction with the RAIHN Meals Committee.
Evening Hospitality: 7 – 9 pm. 2 - 3 volunteers needed during the evening for conversation, playing a game, answering questions, or just being there while guests relax or go to bed early!
Overnight Watch: 9 pm – 7 am. One male and one female volunteer needed to spend the night at First Presbyterian Church with the guests. Volunteers do get to sleep for the night!!
Breakfast: 7 am – 10 am. 2 volunteers will set out breakfast items for the guests as they get ready to depart for the day.
We also need “On Call” Volunteers who could pitch in on short notice to make an extra batch of brownies or to fill a last minute need.
Click to email RAIHN Coordinator
