Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network brings transitional housing to Raleigh

For nearly 20 years now, the Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network (WIHN) in Raleigh NC has been helping homeless families find shelter and eventually gain stability and independence. It is a nonprofit corporation which is run entirely by volunteers. It has several programs for people who are homeless.

Emergency Shelter Program

Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network works in cooperation with local churches and their congregations to provide shelter, transportation and meals to families in need on a daily basis. Each evening, there are two churches “on duty”. Together, they can host up to 10 families.

After the arrangements in the local Day Center are made, the families are transported to their shelter for the evening. There, they will find everything they need to feel at home. Dinner, breakfast and lunch are provided.

Aftercare Program

Families that have been included in the WIHN Emergency Shelter Program can transfer to the Aftercare Program automatically. This program is designed to provide comprehensive case management. The trained professionals working for the network provide life skills development courses, assistance with health and wellness, financial advice on budgeting and credit opportunities and assistance with finding employment. Participating individuals can receive financial assistance, if funds are available.

Transitional Housing Program

Upon the successful completion of the emergency program of the Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network in Raleigh NC, families have the opportunity to live in the network’s apartment building situated next to the Day Center for a period of up to 12 months. All of the 12 units in the building are self-contained and fully furnished. They have all the amenities needed by families.

In addition to housing, the participants in this program can make use of four different types of services. These include case management, life skills training, support groups and information and referrals service. As part of these services, the expert staff members provide advice on and assistance with all things of life from getting professional training and securing a job to family nutrition, child care and discipline, and health care. Aid with stress management and abuse counseling are provided as well.

New Lease on Life Program

This program is provided by Triangle Apartment Association in cooperation with Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network. Families that have successfully completed the Transitional Housing Program can be referred to this one. It offers apartment housing of high quality at much lower rental rates than the market ones plus continued WIHN case management. Families can remain in the apartment provided via the program for a period of 12 to 24 months.

Day Center

This is the hub of WIHN. There guest families have their mailing address. They can use a variety of services and facilities from 7 am to 6 pm. The Day Center has showering and laundry facilities, a living room with a refrigerator, microwave and a kitchen table plus a nursery. There is a playroom for the kids and a room for older children where they can do their homework. For the adults, there is a special job searching room where they can find a phone for calling employers and use a computer to write and send job applications.

Any homeless person in Raleigh NC and the surrounding area can reach Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network for help. Call 919-832-6024 to speak with a case manager. WIHN is located on Method Road just a few blocks from NC State University.

WIHN is one of a few organizations providing transitional housing services in Raleigh.