East Church IHN
A member church of
The Greater Grand Rapids
Interfaith Hospitality Network
East Church is one of sixteen Grand Rapids area churches that house homeless families for a week at a time three or four times a year. During our host week, we need at least seventy-five volunteers to drive the van, cook the dinners, play with the guests' children, and spend the night as over-night hosts/hostesses. Volunteering for IHN is a challenging, rewarding, and an unforgettable experience. A one time small training session is a must for first time volunteers. East Church is grateful for the assistance of the membership of St. Stephen's Catholic Church who provide volunteers for Tuesday and Wednesday of each Host Week.
The families that the IHN houses are ones who usually are just "one break" away from where they want to be and need a place to go to find that one break. With our help, they know they have a safe and loving place to stay at night. All of our East Church members who participate in IHN also become a part of their families as well. If you would like to participate in the East Church IHN program, call Reverend Jody Betten at 245-0578, or e-mail her at jbetten@eastcong.org. You can also contact the Head Coordinators: Britt Campbell, 464-5979, conlonhouse@sbcglobal.net or Karen Schousen, 454-2729, skschouse@sbcglobal.net. We're also delighted to welcome Coordinators-in-Training Wendy Pratt and Kayla Pratt.
Our next Host Week is Sunday, January 18, through Sunday, January 25. Please take time to consider how you might help!
Opportunity | Description | Volunteer Coordinator |
| Dinners | Bring an evening meal for the guests at 6:00PM | Ellin Svoboda 949-3733 dfsebs@comcast .net |
| Overnight Hosts | One male & one female host arrive at 8:00PM and spend the night, departing around 7:00AM | Jane Farnsworth 245-1697 jjfgr@sbcglobal.net |
| Desk Sitters | One volunteer each evening from 5:00 to 8:00PM to greet the guests as they arrive. | Head Coordinators (Could you take over this task?) |
| Play Time | One or two volunteers (often with their children) entertain our younger guests to give their parents a break from 6:30 to 7:30PM. | Megan Miller |
| Move in & Move Out | On the first and last Sunday morning, unload or reload the beds from the truck. | Dori Couvreur |
| Set-up & Take-Down | On the first and last Sunday morning, put out (put away) supplies for the guests rooms | Head Coordinators (Could you take over this task?) |
| Truck Driver | Pick up the rental truck on Saturday and drive it to the next church on the last Sunday. | Head Coordinators (Could you take over this task?) |
List Of Host Congregations
- Aldersgate United Methodist Church
- Calvin Christian Reformed Church
- Cornerstone United Methodist Church
- East Congregational United Church of Christ
- First United Methodist Church
- Fifth Reformed Church
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Ivanrest Christian Reformed Church
- Mayflower Congregational Church
- Neland Ave Christian Reformed Church
- Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church
- Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ
- Princeton Christian Reformed Church
- St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
- St. Paul's United Methodist Church
- Trinity Lutheran Church
Supporting Congregations
- Oakdale United Methodist Church
- St. Mark's Episcopal Church
- St. Steven's Catholic Church