Event Overview
Congregations are significant sources of social capital, which is often the greatest need for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. According to a Baylor University study from 2007, “almost 60% of the Emergency Shelter Beds, which many consider the ‘safety net of all safety nets’ for the homeless, are provided through faith-based organizations.”
This workshop will introduce participants to resources on how to support congregation-based efforts to serve homeless individuals and families, models on volunteer recruitment, and tools for congregations working to serve and heal the most vulnerable in their community. William Wubbenhorst, MBA, and Alfreda Alvarez Wubbenhorst, MS will draw from their research on faith-based ministries serving homeless individuals and families, primarily based upon the 2007 11-city study entitled “Assessing the Faith-Based Response to Homelessness in America” and other case studies on faith-based organizations serving homeless populations (including prisoner re-entry programs).
Participants will learn:
- Do’s and don’ts for congregation-based homeless programs, including programs serving runaway and homeless youth.
- How to contrast and compare relationship-based versus commodity-based approaches to charity.
- How to collaborate effectively with stand-alone, faith-based nonprofits working with homeless populations.
- Understanding how to develop ministries for Nurturing Human Connectedness.
- Sources for training volunteers (e.g., When Helping Hurts, Open Table)
About the InstructorS:
William Wubbenhorst, MBA, and Alfreda Alvarez Wubbenhorst, MA have conducted research on Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), including congregation-based ministries and programs, for the past 25 years, primarily in partnership with the Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion, under the direction of Byron Johnson. PhD. Beginning in 2014, these efforts have been primarily focused through Harvest Home Institute, LLC. Alfreda and William are co-authors with Dr. Johnson on an upcoming textbook entitled “The Faith Factor and Social Welfare: Evidence, Programs and Policy” due to be published through Baylor University Press in late summer/early fall of 2026.