Interfaith Family Services of Ocean County is part of a national organization called Family Promise.
Our Mission Statement:
Interfaith Family Services of Ocean County is a non-profit, interfaith ministry committed to providing shelter, meals and assistance to homeless families. With our trained volunteers, we reach out with compassion and acceptance, providing help, hope and a safe haven for our guests while they seek permanent employment and affordable housing. We increase community awareness and advocate responsible solutions to homelessness.
We here at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish have been involved in this ministry since its inception in Ocean County for 25 years. We are one of the churches that provide shelter 4 to 5 weeks out of each year.
The Interfaith Family Services of Ocean County is comprised of 11 churches and one synagogue. There are also 8 support congregations that partner with host congregations to staff a host week.
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the interfaith Family Services (IFS) program. Without volunteers we could not provide services to our guest families. Volunteers perform simple but immeasurably significant services. They supply the meals, the time needed to host at our church and they donate money to purchase the supplies for the host week as well.
They talk to the guests...and listen. They can be a source of HOPE. This is where WE can start to make a difference!
Consider becoming a volunteer. Here are some of the ways you can help:
- Preparing food
- Hosting guests families at our host sites in the evening or overnight
- Playing with children and helping with homework
- Teaching life skills like parenting, home management, budgeting and nutrition
- Becoming a volunteer coordinator
- Helping with clerical and administrative jobs at the IHN office
- Becoming a mentor to our families
- Joining the Board of Trustees
- Or bringing your unique personal skills to help our families in other ways
To find out more ways please go to http://ihnoc.net
The only way this works is through the help of volunteers who are asked to just give a few hours during a Host Week. This program keeps our Homeless children out of hotels and motels. It keeps the children safe and with their parents.
To find out how you can help or volunteer at the Our Lady of Guadalupe please contact Pat Rainer at 732-300-8288 or email at
Pat Barlow (Sleepers) 732-905-4199
Janet Lawson (Hosting) 732-367-0315
Lisa Romano (Dinners) 848-448-1131
Judy and Bill Locke (Supplies) 732-408-9314
Velda Castellano (Set Up and Break Down) 908-600-4835
We will be housing 3 families in the Red Brick building the week of August 18 through August 24, 2024. We have 3 single moms with 6 children between the ages of 3 through 7. If you can give us just one night of sleeping or one night of hosting it would help so much. Many of our regular volunteers are either on vacation, moved away or are getting too old to drive. Just for one night, you would be with someone who has done it before and you are never alone.
PLease call if you can help.
Velda: Set up Saturday 8/17/24 at 1:15pm 908-600-4835
Carol for Hosting from 6 to 8:30pm Sunday - Saturday 973-219-3034
Lisa for cooking dinners Sunday through Saturday 8/18 through 8/14/2024 848-448-1131
Pat for sleeping from Sunday through Saturday 8/18 through 8/14/2024 732-905-4199
Velda: Clean Up on Sunday, August 25 at 9:15 right after the 8 am mass. 908-600-4835
Pat Rainer 732-300-8288 Questions, concerns, monetary donations or Shop Rite gift
cards. We supply all meals for our families during our host week along with buying
them necessities like laundry detergent, snacks and juice for the children.