Since 1988, the Interfaith Hospitality Ministry of Cass Community has relied on the generosity of places of worship throughout metropolitan Detroit to house up to 54 adult men and women experiencing homeless each night for one week. The week-long commitments run from Saturday to Saturday.
The participants meet at Cass Community’s Scott Building each afternoon for roll call. The agency’s bus transports them to that week’s location, arriving between 4 and 5 p.m. The host group provides dinner and an area within their facility for the guests to sleep - air mattresses and linens are provided by Cass Community. The host is welcome to schedule an after-dinner activity or some form of entertainment. Agency security staff remains on the host’s site during the entire stay.
The next morning, the host serves breakfast on site and provides an individual sack lunch for each guest. The Cass Community bus arrives between 7 and 8 a.m. to pick up the participants.
So far, 25 hosts have committed to participate in the 2019 – 2020 term, which runs from the end of October through mid-April.
However, there are 4 weeks that are still open and need commitments
. Churches of all denominations, synagogues and mosques are invited to serve in these week-long commitments.
If a host is only able to provide sleeping space, Cass Community will make arrangements for the guests’ meals. Or, if a host facility cannot accommodate sleepers, they can come to the Scott Building and provide dinner and breakfast. Places of worship can also donate money that can be used for guests that are staying at another host location to have some form of entertainment, such as an evening of bowling or a visit to a movie theater.
Please consider whether your place of worship can commit to house guests for a week or whether you can serve in another way. Contact Kim Hudolin, Cass Community’s Deputy Director, to get involved or for other information at 313-883-2277, ext 204 or khudolin@casscommunity.org.