Dear Friends of Families,
IHN of Greater Gainesville continues to provide support to homeless families. In January over 250 children were identified as homeless by the Alachua County School Board. IHN and its volunteers seek to provide support to this population, helping parents find jobs and link with other resources to create a stable environment for their children.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100211/GUARDIAN/2111034 Family Promise, the national organization to which IHN is affiliated, is holding its tenth annual conference in Orlando, April 30 to May 2. This is a great opportunity to network with leaders and volunteers in other networks from across the country. If you are interested in attending, even for a day, call Martha at 378-2030.
Did you know that IHN has a program called "Transitional Housing" in addition to providing shelter? This housing is made available through a partnership with local landlords and donors. IHN pays the rent to the landlord, but they graciously waive the deposits. Families who are working are then able to live in an apartment, paying a third of their income in rent until they can save to move into a home of their own.
Fore the Families 2010! 
Save the date:
Monday, October 18, 2010
Annual Golf/Walk
Put it on your calendars now. We look forward to the Tenth Annual Fore the Families.
Point in Time Survey 2010 
On January 28/29 the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry conducted the annual Point-in-Time Survey to determine the number of homeless people in the county. This count is done each year and determines how much federal funding the county gets to care for the homeless and hungry.
This year the preliminary numbers indicate that the homeless population is fairly similar to those recorded last year--approximately 1300 people. There is a change in the number of children reported by the school system--250 children versus 546 in 2009; however, it is very difficult to accurately calculate these numbers as people who are doubled and tripled up in the homes of friends or family members do not always consider themselves homeless or report themselves as being homeless. Yet folks who stay in homes at the goodwill of others are clearly folks without homes and homeless. In addition, those counted as homeless by the school system are only identified at the beginning of the school year or if they arrive in the system during the year. If their circumstances change throughout the year, which often does with folks on the edge, these changes are not necessarily known to the schools. This impacts the number of children reported.
It is clear to all those working in the area of homelessness, that there are still many individuals and families who are seeking support services from the agencies in Alachua County. The numbers of folks requesting help from IHN certainly increased by approximately 50% last year. Other agencies like Catholic Charities and St. Francis House would probably report the same.
Homelessness and hunger in Alachua County remain a concern.
FAMILY PROMISE TENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO
Vehicle Donation 
When we don't have a car or truck, how do you take care of business? When your shift ends at midnight, how do you get home? When the buses don't run, how do you get to a job on Christmas Day? When the bus only runs once an hour, how do you get to the doctor on time if you just missed it?
For many of us these are questions we don't even consider. We know the buses run in Gainesville, and we see people riding them. However, there are many times in which the great bus services does not work for folks.
IHN has been very fortune over the years to receive donations of vehicles which in turn are donated to guests. In 2009 a family whose car payment was almost the same as their rent and whose son had Chrone's Disease received a great vehicle donated by an IHN supporter. It transformed their life. Their monthly expenses decreased dramatically, and the son was able to make all his doctor's appointments.
Thank you for thinking of IHN when you get ready to purchase a new vehicle!
Transitional Housing
This program has helped families for several years, some of whom have been in shelter. Others have been folks in the community unable to find affordable housing.
The Board of IHN sees the need for affordable housing in Alachua County and is exploring whether it would be helpful to further develop this program.
This week one of the families you all know and love, Gabe and Dawn, is moving into this program. We wish them well in this transition. We will be continuing to support them through case management services during this time.
Thank you for your support of the homeless children and their families, whether you bring food, spend the night, host for the evening, donate furniture, or pray, all that you do to add to the life of our families is greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
IHN staff, Martha, Nicole, Melody, and Jim
