This evening dessert will be a great celebration of our ministry, partnerships and community. For this event to be most successful, we need to fill the room with our current Salem IHN supporters, those who need to be inspired again, and those who might join Salem IHN in ministry for the first time. I encourage you to be there! I also encourage you to invite someone who needs to know about Salem IHN and become a supporter of our work! This is our annual fundraiser, but there is no charge to attend. If you are interested in attending please E-Mail rspv@salemihn.org or calling (503) 370-9752. Thanks and see you May 17th!

For most elementary aged children, it is hard to match the excitement that comes with your birthday. The pleasure of turning a year older is only bested by the excitement of a huge party with all of your friends, tearing into present after present and eating enough sugar and cake to send a grownup into diabetic shock.

For soon-to-be eleven year old Hannah Lott, all she wants for her birthday on April 20th is to make a difference.
That idea blossomed in Hannah’s mind after watching a show on the Disney channel where she learned about a young girl who collected shoes to send to Africa. She brought that idea to her parents, Angie and Bill, but with an interesting twist, Hannah wanted to do it locally.

Earlier in the month Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network sent a young guest to cheerleading camp (We do everything to keep kids’ lives as normal as possible) at West Salem High School, where Hannah’s older sister cheers. Her family remembered our ministry and we are a few blocks from their home in West Salem. Hannah did more research, then came forward and said she wanted to dedicate her birthday to us. When she became aware of the financial burden homeless families encounter paying for diapers her eyes lit up and said, “That’s what I want to do!” Instead of presents; Hannah would ask help supporting her Diaper Drive for Salem IHN.

She went to her elementary school’s student council and asked for help spreading the word. She gathered a couple of friends and made homemade signs explaining Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network and The Diaper Drive. She posted them in her neighborhood, at her school and asked her parents to post them at their work.

Angie Lott, Hannah’s mom, shared the diaper drive with her colleagues at PH Tech. Shortly after, box after box of diapers came in. PH Tech caught wind of the mission and will now match each employee’s donation.

Hannah wanted to involve as many people as possible from her elementary school. Her family and I brainstormed ideas on how to share the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network Message and get people involved! We came up with an idea for Salem IHN to sponosor her birthday party – at A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, which can hold 350 people. Hannah went on to invite the entire 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes at her school.

“As parents we can learn a lot from Hannah’s giving heart,” said Angie. “It’s a nice reminder we are here for another purpose – that when we’re faithful to God’s call we can make a difference”

I grew up in Salem, Oregon and one of my favorite memories as a child was riding my bike around the Grant neighborhood. My friends and I would enjoy the long summer days peddling and playing “Cops and Robbers” or “Cowboys and Indians”. We would race around the blocks as fast as we possibly could, but there were always two distinct sides; that consistent “us vs. them” rivalry.

I moved back to Salem in the middle of football season to witness the ultimate “us vs. them” rivalry: OSU Beavers vs. Oregon Ducks. Coming from a family of die-hard Beaver fans, I never realized the magnitude of this rivalry until I brought a girlfriend home to dinner, a University of Oregon Graduate and extremely passionate Ducks fan. During dinner, I could cut the tension with a knife – it was that thick.

Before I started as Executive Director at Salem IHN I believed some common misconceptions of homelessness. Though I did believe that homeless were still people; I also believed they  dealt with alcoholism, some had no ambition to get a job, and were perhaps a little crazy. I thought homeless people slept under bridges and held signs asking for beer, money, or food. These misconceptions affect the best of us, and it is easy for those of us not in need to remain comfortable in our “have” and turn a blind eye to the “have not” side of life.

I recently heard a story about a family, Erin and her daughters Sophia and Jessica, who went to serve as volunteer evening hosts for Salem IHN at their local church. Erin mentioned to her children that they were going to serve the homeless and they would even see children their age. Once they arrived and met the children, everyone played, did crafts, ate dinner – just had a great time! When they got home Sophia, age 7, asked their mom, “When are we going to go meet the homeless people?”

Instead of focusing on who has what, let’s continue break down those barriers and work together. It is so encouraging to see nearly 200 volunteers this year blowing the stereotypical “us and them” thinking out of the water. You and I have come together in the faith community to love the 50 guests that Salem IHN served this year. I challenge you to not let it stop— pray for someone, show kindness, respect, and get involved! We are making a difference in our community.

It’s a blessing to serve with you!

Living without a safe, warm place to sleep, without a place to enjoy a home-cooked meal or care for young children; this is what it means to be homeless. While the loss of a home is a crisis for anyone, it is particularly devastating for families. Felix, Mari, and their 10 year old daughter, Destiny who are current guests of Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network, recently experienced this tragic loss.

Their story began at Walmart where they worked. For Felix, it was love at first sight, but for Mari it was a more gradual development. Things between them were going well until Felix lost his job. Being the resourceful couple that they are, the family was able to live off Mari’s salary until ‘this economy’ turned things upside-down and Mari was laid off. I can only imagine the heartbreaking conversation where Felix and Mari looked in each others eyes and said two words that could move any parent to tears: “What now?” Felix, Mari, and Destiny were forced to uproot their lives in southern California to live in their hard-headed cousin’s garage in Salem, Oregon. They had a roof over their head, but no heat on cold winter nights. The relationship between Felix and his cousin deteriorated point where they were unable to speak. Each family actually hid food in their rooms – clearly Felix and his family were not wanted.

Until recently, many people believed that only alcoholics or the mentally ill made up the homeless population. However, these stereotypes have never accurately portrayed homeless people and certainly do not reflect today’s sad reality. In fact, families with young children are the fastest growing segment of those without homes.

The cause of family homelessness is simply the lack of sufficient income to maintain decent, affordable housing. Many families find themselves caught in the growing gap between family income and the cost of housing. Those families who rent are often only one paycheck away from homelessness. The loss of a job, an increase in rent, sudden illness, or the lack of family support – any one of these issues can drive a family to the “what now?” conversation.

How do families prevent homelessness? In this economy, is that even possible? Is there an answer? Isaiah 58:7 states: “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – - when you see the naked, clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Many have joined together through Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network in tangible ways to provide real help and compassion to families like Felix, Mari, and Destiny.

Please, prayerfully consider becoming a financial supporter of Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network. You are making a difference. Thank you for the chance to work together as we help families find a permanent solution.

For more information E-Mail our office or call (503) 370-9752

Current Day Center Needs: (New or Used)

• Pillows
• Diapers/Wipes (Currently sizes 3-6)
• Twin Sheets
• Towels

Feel free to drop off your donation at the Day Center. Your donation to Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network is tax-deductible and directly helps homeless families.

For more information contact T.J. Putman

Maria and her three kids (Efrain, Lilly and Essy) moved into their own home in the middle of January. The kids are adjusting to a new school and Maria was able to find employment. Maria, with an ear to ear smile, glowed as she left the day center – moving into her new home.

In the last year seven families were pregnant during their time with the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), six homeless families and one executive director. Only one gave birth while a part of IHN. I hope this does not ruin their announcement, but Andy Lane and his wife are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl! Her birth signified a lot of changes in a lot of lives. Andy resigned his position with the IHN to spend more time with his family and I stepped into his position.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am Salem native, graduate of North Salem High School, Portland State University and former youth director at First Presbyterian church of Salem. I spent the last six years based in San Diego, California, working with Amor Ministries, doing church development over North America.

I moved back to Salem in December with a heart and passion to make a difference in the community. Like many of you, I am a strong supporter of this organization. When I heard about the open position my heart jumped! I’m passionate about the mission to engage the faith community to come together and provide safe and warm shelter for homeless families.

It is an honor to serve as the new Executive Director for Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network. In this position I plan to continue regular correspondence to keep you informed of the mission, family stories, successes and needs.

As the Executive Director, I have the opportunity to work closely with families, staff, volunteers, churches, and stakeholders throughout Salem. My role will be to share the vision of the IHN, build on our solid foundation while expanding the momentum from Andrew Lane’s leadership. We have incredible opportunities for growth through solid congregational support, an active Board of Directors, full-time case manager and two support positions

My goals in the upcoming year are to:

• Ensure the continued success of our families.
• Become known as an empowering resource for the faith community.
• Recruit and retain the absolutely best congregations to support the IHN.

As we make this transition, Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network is in a healthy place. We are looking ahead to see how we can deliver an even better program. Thank you for your continuing support of this ministry. I am excited to serve with you.

T.J. Putman

London-based Christian pop/folk performers Newsong Group are coming to Salem for a concert to benefit Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network and Marion-Polk Food Share. This fundraising event is September 9th at 7 PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. A donation of a can or box of food will get you into the concert and a freewill offering during the performance will be fully donated to Salem IHN.

Salem is just one stop on Newsong Group’s West Coast tour promoting their new CD UpBeats: Songs with Spirit. We hope you’ll attend and support this worthy cause! For more information contact Salem IHN.

Join us before the concert for an appetizer reception to talk with Newsong Group, Salem IHN staff and board. This is a great chance to connect with the Salem IHN community and organization.

Salem IHN is hosting our Spring Dessert on Thursday, May 26 7:00 PM at Mission Mill Museum. If you are interested in attending or hosting a table at this event send an email to: rsvp@salemihn.org.

This is a great evening to share stories of success with the families and congregations that we work with each day at Salem IHN. I hope that you can join us for dessert, hearing of stories and what we do, and the opportunity to support Salem IHN financially.