The Mission of the Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN) is to assist local congregations to share hospitality (in the form of emergency lodging and meals) with homeless families, and to help those families achieve self-sufficiency and self-fulfillment.
Our goal is to alleviate homelessness by fostering the development of Networks that provide shelter, meals, and assistance for homeless families, and that increase community involvement in direct service and advocacy. Download the GAIHN Mission Statement here (PDF).
The GAIHN Promotional Video is now available online!
Just over 9 minutes in length, the superb video provides a succinct overview of GAIHN's ministry of hospitality and features Selena Moore telling her success story.
Catch up on the latest GAIHN News on our Facebook page.
Click About GAIHN for more information about GAIHN's services, including links to our host and support congregations and to Family Promise; a list of our Board of Directors; and the GAIHN Brochure and Bulletin Inserts. Check out "Selena's Story" and "Corey Watt's Eagle Scout Project" as well.
GAIHN is a beneficiary for the world-famous Reedy River "Ken-Ducky Derby," set for Saturday, May 1, 2010 and sponsored by the Greenville Evening Rotary Club.
Festivities will be held at the Reedy River Falls Park, which will bustle with excitement and activity for the whole family! Log on to Reedy River Duck Derby, for more info, including a list of sponsors. Additional sponsors are welcome! Call 271-3424 for more information. The GAIHN community is grateful to the members of the Greenville Evening Rotary Club for their generosity to GAIHN and commitment to helping Greenville's children and families thrive.
Again in 2010 GAIHN (Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) will provide horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of downtown Greenville during the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays. Our goal is to raise $10,000+ from the carriage rides, funds that are being used to help to provide emergency assistance for homeless families with children.
Our horse-drawn carriages will depart from JB Lacher Jewelers each evening, December 10, 13-14, 16-17, and 20-23.
The fifteen minute ride is through downtown Greenville bedecked in holiday splendor (each carriage seats four adults). Cooper Farm Carriage Service provides our carriages. Reservations may be made online beginning October 1, 2010.
Click here or on the Carriage
Rides button above for links to our wonderful corporate and media sponsors!
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Two exceptionally generous companies, Prudential/C. Dan Joyner Realtors and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans serve as corporate sponsors in 2009, and J.B. Lacher Jewelers is our host sponsor for the eighth consecutive year. Corporate week and night sponsorships for 2009 are now available (call 271-3424 for details).
The dedication for the Williams family’s Habitat house was held on Saturday, December 5, 2009. The Lee family’s Habitat house dedication was conducted on Sunday, December 6, 2009.
Transitional housing for the Lee family has been provided by Overbrook Baptist Church. The Williams family’s housing has been sponsored by a partnership between First Baptist Church-Greenville and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Don't miss "Making GAIHNs in Greenville," stories about GAIHN's innovative transitional housing partnership with various Upstate congregations.
Want to Help Make Hospitality Happen for local homeless families?
Click About GAIHN for a list of volunteer needs, and go to Donate Now! to support our hospitality ministry financially (using our convenient and secure online giving system).
The dedication for “Lola’s House” (110 Douthit Street) was held on Sunday, August 9. This magnificent 2 bedroom house is GAIHN’s newest transitional housing site. Marshall Collins and his family have purchased and refurbished this house in memory of Lola Mary Collins, the family matriarch whose life was distinguished by compassion and hospitality. GAIHN’s other partners in this housing initiative include St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Homes of Hope, Central Community Ministries, Upstate Homeless Coalition of SC, and Hollingsworth Funds, Inc.
Thanks to the Student Councils, students, faculty and parents at Greenville Senior High School and J.L. Mann Academy, two GAIHN families are thriving in first-class transitional housing. Using funds donated from the 2007 Spirit Week events at both schools, GAIHN has secured two houses for homeless families to occupy temporarily as they seek increased income and permanent housing. Click here for more information and pictures.
A Dedication Service and Open House was held at "The Promise House" on Sunday afternoon, November 18.
"The Promise House," located at 212 Gower Street in West Greenville, will serve as transitional housing for homeless families through Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN).
We are grateful to the St. Francis Foundation/Bon Secours for including GAIHN's "Hospitality Tree" at the 2009 St. Francis "Festival of Trees" at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Greenville in December.