March 20, 2009
Dear Friends of The Baltimore Interfaith Hospitality Network (BIHN):
It is with profound regret that we inform you that on March 16th, the BIHN Board of Directors voted to dissolve the organization. We are ending our efforts to rebuild BIHN and reestablish services for homeless families through our network of congregations.
We accomplished much in the last year. A reconstituted and dedicated board of directors, with the commitment and encouragement of our network congregations and volunteers, worked hard towards our shared goal of offering services to homeless families. A new strategic plan provided focus, regular communications kept the network intact, realistic benchmarks were established, and we found a terrific place for our new day center.
Ultimately, the board's decision was based on continued funding shortfalls, changes in staff leadership, and the normal challenges that face any young organization in transition – and the current economic climate didn't help. The board is committed to being a good steward of its funds and feels this is the best (and only) possible decision in order to meet that responsibility. Spending any money on renovations for a new day center when our operating funds are so tenuous would not be wise.
Over the next few weeks, the board will be handling the organization's final obligations and determining the disposition of remaining funds to a nonprofit organization that serves homeless families in the Baltimore community.
The board remains committed to the BIHN mission to assist homeless families, and wants to support its volunteers who share that mission. To that end, the organization will be providing direction and guidance to its volunteers on how they can provide services to families through other agencies and programs.
The national organization with which BIHN has been associated, Family Promise, has been informed of our decision. Family Promise is exploring how it might reposition and re-launch a program in Baltimore. If anyone is interested in working on this effort, please contact Eve Wenger, Family Promise Northeast Regional Associate, at 518-696-5893 or ewenger@familypromise.org.
We thank you for your continued support of BIHN through very challenging times. While we are saddened by this turn of events, we must remember that BIHN touched many lives – both guests' and volunteers' - in a profound way. We did good work and had an impact on the people we were committed to serve – homeless families in our community. We trust that though this door is closing, God will open others that will allow each of us to continue to serve.
In the months ahead, we will continue to communicate with our network through the email newsletter. Thank you again for your prayers and support.
The BIHN Board of Directors
Jennifer Arnold
Mark Ermer
Carol Bishop
The Rev. Thomas Carter
Donna Greene
Michael L. Jennings
Lewis Hibbs
Steven Himmelrich
Kate McGuire
Elana Richman
Mark Strovel
Rita Walters
Carol Wessner
