History
First as Inter-Faith of Ambler, later as Inter-Faith Housing Alliance, and now as Family Promise Montco PA, we have served vulnerable families in Montgomery County who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, and hunger for more than 40 years.
Our Founding
Founder Lei Barry’s call to action was born of personal experience. In 1965, she and her two children became homeless and struggled for years before being able to access the resources they needed to improve their lives. This lived experience led Lei, along with other members of the Ambler area community, to launch a 24-hour emergency hotline to connect homeless families with community resources.
The Interfaith Hospitality Network
Within seven years, the program evolved to also provide emergency shelter, food, and crucial services to homeless families. Lei mobilized a coalition of faith-based organizations within the Montgomery County community to establish the Interfaith Hospitality Network in 1989. It was the first Pennsylvania affiliate and the fourth in the nation.
Hope Gardens
In 1995, we expanded once again to meet community needs by establishing Hope Gardens and took on the name Inter-Faith Housing Alliance in 2002 to reflect this expansion. The long-term transitional housing program at Hope Gardens provides an opportunity for families to resolve their homelessness through intensive case management and life skills training while having access to safe, stable housing and support for basic needs.
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry in Abington, which has served Montgomery County families in need since 1970, became a program of our organization in 2006. The pantry, located in Roslyn, last year assisted nearly 1,900 individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Hope Forest and Hope on Fifth
In 2015, a generous gift from First Presbyterian Church of Ambler made possible the purchase of a home in Ambler Borough, now known as Hope Forest. This supportive housing program, the first of its kind in Montgomery County, aims to bridge the gap between transitional housing and total independence. Residents work toward paying fair market rent and receive light case management as they move toward self-sufficiency. We acquired a second property for the supportive housing program in 2021, thanks to the kindness of a longtime supporter. Hope on Fifth, located in Lansdale, accommodates two families.
Family Promise Montco PA
In 2022, we adopted the name Family Promise Montco PA, to reflect our 30-plus year affiliation with Family Promise and to allow us to leverage Family Promise’s national profile to better serve the families in our programs. Although our name changed, our mission did not. We’re committed to working with the community to ensure that families can access the food, shelter, and comprehensive support they need to become self-sufficient. “Interfaith” may no longer be part of our name, but it is and will always be vital to who we are. To communicate this commitment, our logo includes the tagline: “An Interfaith Response to Homelessness and Hunger.”
Family Promise of the Main Line
In 1989, a group of concerned citizens, led by Rev. George Hollingshead of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, began planning the creation of a network of congregations along the Main Line Philadelphia suburbs to support families experiencing homelessness. Eight congregations joined this network with a commitment to provide families safe shelter, a good meal, and compassionate companionship, and in 1992 Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line housed its first family. The 2003 purchase of a building in Norristown with offices, a Day Center, and a small apartment allowed Main Line to provide more expansive services for families, including intensive case management support. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the state of Montgomery County’s safety net, revealing gaps in a system that should be preventing families from becoming homeless. In response, Main Line launched prevention and diversion services aimed at helping families maintain their housing.
Montco PA and Main Line
In 2025, the Montco PA and Main Line affiliates of Family Promise joined forces to become one stronger, united organization. This partnership, which operates under the name Family Promise Montco PA, builds on our combined strengths: a passionate, experienced team; strong board leadership; a powerful network of 66 Interfaith Hospitality Network congregations; long-standing community support; and a shared culture of showing up and speaking out for families in need. Between the two affiliates, we bring more than 75 years of experience—and we’re putting it to work to build a community where everyone has access to healthy food, safe housing, and the support they need to thrive.