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 community has been honored with the “Community Spirit Award” presented by the Community Foundation of Greenville, in partnership with TOWN Magazine and Greenville Journal. Among the other honorees are Richard W. Riley (“Lifetime of Charitable Giving Award”), Betty Farr (“Benevolent Spirit Award”), Tod Hyche (“Ruth Nicholson Award”), Jackson Marketing Group (“Creative Spirit Award”), and Sealevel Systems/the O’Hanlan family (“Philanthropic Spirit Award”).
The "Community Spirit Award" is sponsored annually by Duke Energy. “Few organizations know better than GAIHN the importance of a healthy environment and home to rely on. We are proud to present this award to an outstanding organization that provides such a vital service,” says Michael S. Wilson, Duke Energy (SC).
GAIHN is grateful to the Community Foundation of Greenville, TOWN Magazine and Greenville Journal, and to Duke Energy for recognizing the over 1500 GAIHN volunteers from more than forty congregations who faithfully devote their time, expertise, and compassion to helping homeless families find home, haven and hope in Greenville. The incredible hospitality that they share with GAIHN families exemplifies the distinctive compassion and generosity that make Greenville such a wonderful community.
Congratulations, GAIHN volunteers, on this signature achievement and honor!
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.
In 2012 GAIHN (Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) will provide horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of downtown Greenville during the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays. We hope to reach our goal to raise $10,000+ from the carriage rides, funds that are being used to help to provide emergency assistance for homeless families with children.
Carriage rides will take place again in December 2012, with reservations available by October 30. Our horse-drawn carriages will depart from JB Lacher Jewelers each evening, December 14 and 17-21.
The fifteen minute ride is through downtown Greenville bedecked in holiday splendor (each carriage seats four adults). Harvey King Carriage Service (864.561.0806) provides our carriages. Reservations may be made online beginning October 30, 2012.
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 served as corporate sponsors in 2011, and J.B. Lacher Jewelers was our host sponsor for the eighth consecutive year. Corporate week and night sponsorships for 2012 are now available (call 271-3424 for details).
Click here for a handy flyer with details about the Carriage Rides to Help the Homeless.
"Annie's House" is a collaboration between GAIHN and a number of local and state partners to create permanent and transitional housing in Nicholtown with attention to principles of sustainability and energy efficiency. Annie’s house will be an interfaith initiative demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of living more simply and sustainably. The house will also serve as a transition house for low-income individuals with skills or interest in sustainability. A second house on-site will be used as transitional housing for GAIHN families. Contact Rick Joye for more information.
Want to help make "Annie's House" a reality? Go to the Donate Now page to invest in Greenville's "green" future. Or, mail a check payable to GAIHN and designated for "Annie's House" to P.O. Box 2083, Greenville, SC 29602-2083.
GAIHN is a beneficiary for the world-famous Reedy River Duck Derby," held on Saturday, May 5, 2012 and sponsored by the Greenville Evening Rotary Club.
Festivities were held at the Reedy River Falls Park, which bustled with excitement and activity for the whole family! Log on to Reedy River Duck Derby, for more info, including a list of sponsors and winners. 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.
CBS "60 Minutes" did a marvelous job depicting the enormous challenges confronting homeless families (especially children) in their recent piece, "Hard Times Generation."
We are grateful to the St. Francis Foundation/Bon Secours for including GAIHN's "Hospitality Tree" at the 2012 St. Francis "Festival of Trees" at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Greenville in December.
Website Design by Giraffe Web Design Services.