| IHC Information |
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| What is the Hospitality
Center? |
| The Interfaith Hospitality Center opens its doors every Saturday and Sunday morning and on major holidays at 7:00 am to the approximately 1,000 visitors each day, or approximately 11,000 per year who travel long distances to visit incarcerated loved ones. Many arrive by bus from the New York State area on a trip that starts at midnight, arriving here about 6:30 am. Prior to the opening of the Interfaith Hospitality Center they, along with other visitors who come from all parts of New York State and beyond, were forced to wait outside without any shelter until the Correctional Facility began processing them inside. |
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| Who are these visitors? |
| Primarily women, with approximately 20% small children and a small percentage of men who spend their own money to make the trip in an effort to maintain ties and reduce the vicious cycle of recidivism. |
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| Who maintains the
Center? |
| The
Hospitality Center is open from 7:00 am to
3:30 pm during peak visiting hours weekends
and most holidays. Our paid part-time Site Coordinator with the assistance of our volunteers, is present at the start of the day to offer a place to freshen up, enjoy light refreshments, provide entertainment for children, help with completing necessary paperwork, etc. Realizing that many of these visitors are under great stress, we try to ease the visit by demonstrating that we understand and care. These volunteers are an
important and essential component to the
Center’s operations. Training is provided
and the time commitment is usually limited
to one weekend morning or less per month. |
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| How is the Center
financed? |
| None of this money comes from your taxes. Funds are garnered from charges to inmates for phone calls, etc., and come to us through the New York State Department of Ministerial and Family Services. These funds must be matched by the Hospitality Center. Hospitality
centers are not government programs. These
visitors spend an average of $21,000,000 per
year in their struggle to maintain and
preserve family ties. The Department of
Correction’s Family Ministry program
provides a grant of $15,000 annually for
which the Center must raise matching funds.
We rely on our local religious and civic
organizations, individuals, the occasional
grant, and fund raising to meet this
challenge. |
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| How can you help? |
We welcome the
opportunity to speak to religious
congregations or community organizations to
explain our program and our needs. We can be
available at your convenience to present the
goals and objectives of the Interfaith
Hospitality Center. You may contact us by
letter or by phone with questions and
arrangements.
Become a volunteer. Visit our
Volunteer Page
for more information.
Make a gift. Visit out
Donations Page
for more information.
Do Both! We need both financial and time
commitments from people in the community. IF
you are in a position to assist us, your
contribution will be greatly appreciated. |
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| The Interfaith Hospitality Center can be reached at 607-259-7292. This phone is available during hours the Center is open (7:00 am - 3:00 pm each Saturday and Sunday). Messages may be left at any time and will be returned as soon as possible. |
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| Frequently asked
questions about the regulations for
your visit to the The Elmira Correctional
Facility.
Read The ECF FAQ |
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| Volunteers are the
lifeblood of any nonprofit organization. If
you would like to find out more about
volunteering at the Center, please visit our
volunteer information page.
Learn More |
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