Homeless Shelter (IHELP)

Part of loving people is housing and feeding the homeless. We do this as part of the Southwest Valley I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program).

After extensive discussion with other churches and social service agencies, we took the lead in forming a homeless ministry serving the West Valley, together with Lutheran Social Services, the City of Avondale, CareFirst of Avondale (pictured), and nearly a dozen local churches of different denominations.

I-HELP uses church buildings on a rotating basis — we shelter on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Guests can stay up to 90 days as they move out of homelessness. We offer a safe place to sleep, an evening meal, regular meetings with a case manager, some transportation, contact with Christian volunteers, and other help as needed.

There are rules: no sex offenders, no drugs or alcohol, no weapons, no violence, respect for the churches and volunteers, no panhandling while in the program, and a search of all bags.

We want to be who we say we are. We love God, love people, and follow Jesus — and housing the homeless is one way we do it.

IHELP update & newsletter

From the Southwest Valley IHELP September 2026 newsletter: 64 people served to date; 51% obtained permanent housing. Twenty were employed when they arrived, 15 found work during the program, and 8 began receiving Social Security benefits.

One success story: a 70-year-old man in Avondale, living on $600 a month, came to IHELP through a local outreach organization. After 45 days he moved into subsidized housing, and IHELP helped furnish his apartment for a fresh start.

Read the full September 2026 IHELP newsletter (PDF)