Nonprofit Spotlight
The Nonprofit Spotlight in April is featuring Alpha House!
The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Washtenaw County (“Alpha House”) operates multi-site homeless shelters for families: two congregate family shelters, one on the east side of Washtenaw County, another on the west side, six houses scattered across the county for larger families in need of more space, as well as a hoteling program in partnership with Community Mental Health. Family homelessness is a crisis intensifying across our community, our state, and the nation. Unlike individual homelessness, families experiencing homelessness face unique challenges – parents with young children are navigating job loss, unaffordable housing, and a lack of safety net, all while trying to keep their family together. Since 1992, Alpha House has been there for these families.
“At a time when the world around us feels chaotic, scary, and lacking in compassion, when communities feel divided and at odds, we remain steadfast in our mission: to support families experiencing homelessness and their children as they build a better future. We live that mission with a relentless pursuit of dignity and justice for all who come to our door. Whether staff or volunteer, we want to reflect the vast diversity that fuels our purpose. Together, with our families, we strive to create and foster an inclusive culture that values, supports, and celebrates all differences. Our commitment is simple – every voice will be heard because every voice matters.” – Shonagh Taruza – Alpha House Executive Director
Details
Events to support Alpha House
Gimme Shelter
October 16, 2025
Stay tuned! Gimme Shelter - FALL 2026 date TBD! Each fall, Alpha House hosts its annual fundraising event called Gimme Shelter. Please keep an eye on Alpha House’s website for the announcement of the 2026 event date and sponsorship opportunities: https://www.alphahouse-ihn.org or contact Peggy Cole, Development Director, at 734.201.7440 or [email protected].
Resources
IHN at Alpha House provides a safe, supportive congregate shelter for families experiencing homelessness. The original shelter, Alpha House West, is located on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor, where families receive housing-focused case management, basic needs, and connections to community resources. The shelter program has 14 rooms available for families year-round. In partnership with Trinity Health Ann Arbor, Alpha House opened a second shelter site in early January 2026 on the campus of Trinity Health. Called ‘Del’s House’ in honor of Washtenaw County community leader Del Dunbar, this location increases Alpha House’s capacity by an additional 30 families, also year-round. Alpha House also offers short-term, scatter-site shelter for larger families experiencing homelessness. Through this Master Leasing program, Alpha House provides temporary housing for up to 120 days, while also providing families intensive case management. This approach allows larger families to maintain more privacy and stability during their shelter stay. In partnership with Washtenaw County Community Health (WCMH), Alpha House also provides limited-stay hotel shelter when other shelter placements are not suitable or available. Families in Washtenaw County needing emergency housing should first call HAWC (Housing Access for Washtenaw County) at 734.961.1999, the central intake for homeless services. For immediate, 24/7 assistance or to find local shelters, calling 2-1-1 is recommended, as it connects residents to emergency shelter, rent assistance, and housing resources.
Donating
Donations of food and supplies as well as new clothing, toiletries, linens and other household items are accepted Monday thru Friday at Alpha House West, located at 4290 Jackson Road. Feel free to call ahead of your arrival: 734.802.0220.
You can also make financial contributions online through the Alpha House website or throughout April by finding cash donation bins at Zingerman's locations!
Volunteering
Volunteers are the heart and hands of Alpha House. Since its inception in 1992, Alpha House has harnessed community compassion. Each year, more than 2,000 volunteers lend their time and talents to Alpha House. They come from congregations, student groups, businesses, and the community at large. Volunteers cook and serve dinners, read to the children, tutor, help with facility upkeep, provide arts and crafts and other enrichment activities, and offer friendship and mentorship to the resident families. This massive volunteer engagement not only stretches resources, but also sends a powerful message to the families: you are not alone.
Individuals, small groups, families, businesses and congregations interested in volunteering with Alpha House are welcome to reach out to Yohannes Desta, Volunteer Coordinator, 734.846.4267 or [email protected]. Potential volunteers will be informed of immediate one-time volunteer opportunities, such as grounds beautification days, or more longer-term opportunities, such as meal provision or tutoring. Individuals wishing to work directly with children must undergo a background screening. Please find more information at https://www.alphahouse-ihn.org/get-involved
Why Zing loves Alpha House
One of the most crucial missions that Zingerman's has chosen to support is safe and accessible housing for all in our community. We firmly believe that everyone has the right to shelter and stability so we feel dedicated towards giving to the incredible organizations like Alpha House that are doing the direct work to provide opportunity and advocacy for so many individuals and families facing homelessness, empowering them with a safe haven as well as agency to navigate their future. The team at Alpha House truly has created such an impressive and welcoming sense of home for those they work with, changing countless lives, and enhancing our entire community through their positive work.