Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston


	Interfaith Ministries Supports City's Neighbors2Neighbors.org Program The City of Houston has unveiled a revolutionary program to assist Louisiana survivors who have been placed in long-term temporary housing by the city to get acclimated to life as a Houstonian. Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston with the help of the broad faith community, is assisting the city by matching evacuee families with volunteer families or 'Friends.' These friends will help the survivor families adjust into their new living arrangements; helping turn on utilities, getting furniture, navigating the transit system, finding grocery and recreation locations and helping them navigate through essential social services that they will inevitably need. Click here for student volunteer information. For more information or to register as a new or welcoming neighbor click here. Program Mission: To provide hospitality services to new Houston residents, long-term or permanent, who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Program Overview: The Neighbors 2 Neighbors.org Program is a function of the City of Houston which has tasked the faith community with its implementation. IM will provide administrative support for this city program. N2N is a City sponsored, faith community initiated, IM administered program. The program works with the faith communities, volunteer families and Katrina survivor families. The program provides one on one hospitality services to families that have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina and have been provided long-term temporary housing by the COH. The program is completely voluntary on the part of the survivor family. Volunteer neighbors are not financially responsible for their survivor neighbors. Volunteer neighbors will be responsible for at least these minimum objectives: Provide transportation for the displaced neighbor family to obtain any required furnishings, household necessities, etc. Provide information and orientation about Houston and its neighborhoods. Help families locate and enroll their children in local schools Help families access resources to locate family members, if necessary Provide referrals, contacts, recommendations on services, directions, etc. Visit the family at least three times in the first 30 days Make each family feel welcomed and valued If both parties mutually agree, volunteer neighbors may optionally provide their displaced neighbor family additional services which may include: Provide limited periodic transportation - to the grocery store, to doctor's appointments, etc. for a period of about 30 days. Assist with locating child care Recreational outings Assist with applications for government benefits Job search assistance Anything else that friends would agree to do with/for each other. Additional information about specifics will be announced as they become finalized.	Helpful Links IM Office of Disaster Preparedness and Response How to Donate How the Faith Community can Help Bush/Clinton Fund FEMA United Way Houston Red Cross Salvation Army Volunteer Houston Harris County Citizen Corps Storm Aid Catholic Charities Second Baptist Church Adventist Community Services Texas VOAD State of Texas