Overview of the Collection

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Newsletters, 1999-2000

A Finding Aid for the Records of the Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County [1999-2000]

Part of the Local Organizations Collection at the Plainfield Public Library

Finding aid prepared and encoded by Anna Henderson.

Biographical Note

The Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County [1999-2000] began in 1986 when a group of Union County religious leaders and lay people, responding to the crisis of family homelessness, created an emergency shelter called the Interfaith Hospitality Network. The organizations has since changed its name to Homefirst and is now is a leader in eradicating homelessness caused by poverty and racism, working with and striving to unite all levels of society to bring about the institutional changes needed to eliminate the societal factors that contribute to homelessness.

In addition to the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which offers overnight shelter and meals, on a weekly rotation, for homeless women and families with children in Union County, Homefirst also maintains transitional housing for homeless persons that are adjusting to life in a permanent home. During the allotted one year in this housing, intensive case management is provided to help the families strengthen their skills and increase their income. Homefirst also purchases and renovates single and multi-family houses and condos to create permanent homes for low-income and homeless individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and other disabilities. Finally, Homefirst offers support services, which include financial assistance, security deposits and donations of cars. Budget counseling, after-school care programs and peer support groups are part of the educational and recreational programs for children, teens, adults and families.

Return to the Table of Contents

Scope and Contents

The Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County [1999-2000], now called Homefirst, is a leader in eradicating homelessness caused by poverty and racism, working with and striving to unite all levels of society to bring about the institutional changes needed to eliminate the societal factors that contribute to homelessness. This collection consists of newsletters highlighting organizational activities and prominent members.

Return to the Table of Contents

Arrangement

The "Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County" collection is arranged into one series:

Return to the Table of Contents

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

The “Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County” collection is available for research.

Access is restricted to materials prepared by the Local History department staff. All materials must be viewed in the Plainfield Room and may not be removed to another area of the library without permission of the Library Director or designee. Materials must be handled carefully and kept in order. Materials must not be leaned upon, altered, folded, ripped, or traced upon. Marks may not be added or erased from materials. Materials must be returned directly to Local History department staff and inspected before the researcher leaves the Plainfield Room.

Restrictions on Use

One photocopy may be made (by Plainfield Public Library staff) of each document for the purpose of research; official Local History departmental reproduction fees may apply. Permission to publish must be obtained by the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees as delegated to the Library Director. Permission to publish does not constitute a copyright clearance. The researcher is responsible for further copyright restrictions. The Plainfield Public Library is not responsible for the misuse of copyrighted material.

Return to the Table of Contents

Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Organizations:

Places:

Subjects:

Return to the Table of Contents

Physical Charateristics or Technical Requirements

This collection consists of paper documents, which do not require any additional technology for access.

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Identification of item; Date (if noted); “Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County” collection, Box and Folder Number; Local History Department, Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield, New Jersey.

Acquisition Information

Unknown.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Anna Henderson in April 2008. The finding aid was written by Anna Henderson in April 2008. Finding aid content follows the guidelines suggested by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

Return to the Table of Contents

Detailed Description of the Collection