For over 15 years, Medway United Methodist Church (UMC) has been a part of the Springfield Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). IHN is a national organization whose mission is to assist single women and families go from homelessness to housing. The Springfield/Clark County IHN program has made many changes on its operations over the past couple of years.

• Norm’s Place, formerly the IHN Day Center, with the help of numerous churches, now has the capability of providing on-site overnight shelter for homeless families and single women in the Springfield / Clark County community.

• In August of 2006, IHN became the administrator of the Edward T. Craig House, a shelter for single men in the Springfield/Clark County Community.

• ILSA (Independent Living with Supportive Assistance) is a program for singles and families who are in transition from having accomplished a number of their goals, but not quite capable of total independence.

With the evolution of the program, our role has also changed somewhat. Previously we provided overnight chaperones and served evening meals at Central UMC in Springfield, The Rock Church in Springfield, Lawrenceville Community Church in Lawrenceville and Enon United Methodist Church in Enon. This role was as a “Helper Church.” Our role as of July 2008 is as a “Host Church,” and as such we now provide and serve evening meals for a full week at a time, approximately every eight (8) weeks.

In addition, for the past few years, Medway has formed work crews that have performed clean up and painting at Norm’s Place and transitional housing units as needed.

Medway is also active in IHN’s fundraising efforts, such as its Annual Christmas Tree Sale in Springfield.

If you’re interested in serving or would like more information, please contact the church office or you may call Becky Brittingham at 849-0119.

If you or someone you know needs the services of IHN, please contact the local shelter (Norm’s Place) at the address or phone number below:

501 West High Street
Springfield OH 45506-1420
(937) 325-8154 Fax: (937) 325-8902

For more information on Interfaith Hospitality Network on a national level, you may visit the national website at http://www.nihn.org/ihn/ihn.html