The Interfaith Hospitality Network's new executive director, John McDowell, pored over financial documents and collected keys on his first day Thursday at the Salem headquarters.

McDowell, 57, said he'll draw on his 2¹₂ years of experience as the resettlement coordinator at the Refugee and Immigration Services for his new post.

"Both programs help at-risk populations get back on track with essential services and skills," McDowell said as he was relaxing after a lunchtime run. "Here we deal with fewer families, but in a more intense kind of way."

The IHN helps families gain stability and self-sufficiency. It works with 30 congregations in the Roanoke Valley that provide weeklong housing and hot meals in various churches and synagogues. It taps into a network of more than 1,000 volunteers who have a chance to put their faith into action. Roanoke's program is the only one in Virginia.

"It literally gives the congregations a chance to deal with the root causes of homelessness," said former director Joe Cobb, whose last day is today. "It's one thing to do mission work in a far-away country and another to deal with homelessness in your own community."

Before joining Refugee and Immigration Services in 2004, McDowell worked at Total Action Against Poverty and held various financial positions. He also was an assistant professor of religion and philosophy at Hollins University.

He has a doctorate in American religious history from Duke University, a master's degree in religion from Princeton Theological Seminary and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

He has a 23-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter.

McDowell said he'll be "learning and listening." He said he's eager to continue offering more life skills to the IHN clients.

"We help them with transitional housing and skills such as budgeting and parenting," McDowell said. "As they exit this program, we want to help them deal with landlords and help them get credit and permanent housing."

Volunteers on IHN's nine-member board of directors said McDowell's prior job has similarities to his new position.

"His experience in settling refugee families is relevant," said IHN president John Turbyfill. "He's been involved in supervising volunteers, grant writing, fundraising and strategic planning. He's showed good communications skills."

Gerald Carter, vice president of the IHN board, said McDowell knows the stresses felt by people who are relocating.

"What we're trying to do is provide a home on the way home for these folks, so there are similarities," Carter said. "I think he is compassionate and calm, and that inspires others to calm down."

Alice Duehl, education coordinator at Refugee and Immigration Services, said McDowell will be missed.

"He's our voice of reason, that is how I think of him. He's very even-keel," she said. "We're a very emotional group here and he took everything in stride."