FAMILY PROMISE
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2021
THE FUTURE BEGINS AT HOME
187,308
served in 2021
200
Affiliates
43
states
FROM OUR CEO
Dear Friends,
Where should a child’s future begin? The answer is simple: at home.
But for millions of children in this country, the future is defined by their lack of housing. That is why Family Promise exists.
The past year underscored this housing deficiency more sharply than ever. Resources to support low-income families have waned, while the cost of that most vital necessity, housing, is increasing at a staggering rate. It has made the recent changes in how we address the crisis of family homelessness more urgent than ever.
Starting in 2018, we pivoted to support the creation of prevention and diversion programs, initiatives that keep families in their homes and out of shelter. Last year, we invested in stabilization and housing programs, as well. In fact, nearly a third of our national budget in 2021 was dedicated to funding Affiliates directly to expand their range of services.
This diversity of approaches is critical. By offering a holistic solution to family homelessness, rather than just shelter, we can serve families no matter what circumstances led them to housing instability. We can lessen the trauma of homelessness. We can be even more cost-efficient in ensuring families have homes.
This report illustrates the amazing array of solutions Family Promise and our Affiliates have created. Each is based in its community, drawing on unique capabilities to address the local crisis and supported by our committed volunteers and partners.
Recently, I visited an Affiliate and saw a toddler who gleefully batted around balloons with our name and logo on them. It was the grand opening of a new facility that increased the Affiliate’s capacity tenfold. Thanks to our innovative work with families in crisis, that boy’s future is not defined by a word that is attached to so much stigma – “homelessness.” Instead, it is defined by the word on the balloons — a future filled with “promise.”
Very best regards,
Claas Ehlers, CEO
Thank you to our Generous Donors!
Prevention
Keeping the Wheels Turning
In 2021, Bertha earned her associate degree and got married. Expectant mom Caren continued to pay rent despite reduced work hours. William and his family remained in their apartment after he was diagnosed with cancer and stopped working, cutting his family’s earnings in half. Dara kept her family in their home despite an unexpected loss of income when her partner suddenly passed away.
COVID has affected families across the country in countless ways, but one thing Bertha, Caren, William, and Dara – and many others – have in common is Family Promise. Last year, close to 700 families at 35 Affiliates persevered to overcome challenges and avoid the trauma of homelessness through Family Promise’s national initiative A Future Begins at Home.
“We’re addressing homelessness by preventing it,” says Joe Nettesheim, executive director of Family Promise of Waukesha County, WI. “We avoid the emotional and psychological tolls a crisis like that takes. It makes the future more hopeful.”
Secure housing is like the hub of a wheel connecting numerous spokes that represent all the other aspects of life: employment, health, transportation, education, food, clothing. If a spoke breaks, the wheel becomes less stable, especially for low-income families.
“A car breaks down and next thing you know, a family can’t pay bills,” says Linda Smith, executive director at Family Promise of Butler County in Hamilton, OH. “Rent assistance or other support can keep them in their home without the chaos and expense of losing housing. Plus, it prevents an eviction on their record.”
Through donor-funded Innovation Grants and partnerships with organizations like Synchrony and Clayton, A Future Begins at Home enables Affiliates to intervene with an array of supports (case management, rent or utility assistance, landlord mediation, housing, and more) for families at imminent risk of homelessness.
More than 75 percent of families who receive assistance through A Future Begins at Home remain in stable housing long-term. That means families like Bertha’s can stay in their homes, spare their children unnecessary trauma, and focus on the future.
Learn how families in crisis can avoid the trauma of homelessness
MEET SARAH
Sarah knows all too well how a theft can put your entire future at risk.
Widowed some years ago, Sarah was using her late husband’s Social Security death benefit to pay the monthly rent on her family’s home. But when a thief broke into her car and stole her purse, which contained her Social Security and debit cards, she lost the documentation that enabled her to receive those monthly survivor benefits. Sarah immediately filed a police report and applied for new cards. In the meantime, however, she was unable to afford the $500 monthly rent on top of all the other expenses of raising a family, and she and her six-year-old daughter risked losing their home.
When they found Family Promise of Butler County in Hamilton, OH, they found a way to avoid homelessness. Funds available through Family Promise’s prevention program A Future Begins at Home ensured the rent was covered until Sarah received her new identification and debit cards. The temporary support was all the family needed to overcome that hurdle and remain in their longtime home.
MEET LAKIAH
The telephone was a lifeline for LaKiah last year.
An established employee at a financial institution, she had a solid income to support herself and her teenage daughter. But when COVID hit and many businesses began to suffer, LaKiah lost her job. It was a chain reaction from there: the loss of income meant she and her teenage daughter fell behind on rent, and eventually their landlord turned them out of their home despite the eviction moratorium in place at the time.
The pair began sleeping on friends’ sofas, and LaKiah sank into a deep depression until a friend referred her to Family Promise of Greater Roanoke, VA. It was mostly over phone calls that the single mom worked with Family Promise to get her life back on track. Unemployment benefits facilitated the family’s move into a small house of their own, and funding from Family Promise’s A Future Begins at Home homelessness prevention program covered the rent deposit. Just as important, LaKiah’s frame of mind improved – having the stability of a home made all the difference to her. She has since found another job, and life is once again moving forward.
MEET KARITA & ALEJANDRO
Karita and Alejandro were struggling to make ends meet last summer when Alejandro’s company shut down due to COVID. Although they were excited about the pending birth of their second child, they worried more than ever about their ability to remain in their apartment and provide for their growing family. They turned to Family Promise of Waukesha County in Wisconsin for support.
Losing their home was never a concern thanks to A Future Begins at Home homelessness prevention program. Family Promise provided temporary rent assistance until Alejandro’s company re-opened. And when car troubles arose, Family Promise covered the necessary repairs. Family Promise even surprised Karita with a baby shower.Unexpected health complications put Karita in the hospital shortly after her son was born, and Alejandro lost time at work caring for their children. But the family has remained in their home and maintains hope for the future as they continue to work with Family Promise to regain stability.
“Family Promise was there for us,” says Karita. “With their help, I was able to focus 100 percent on my recovery, eliminating much stress.”
She adds, “I want everyone to hear our story and how we are able to still tell it – thanks to Family Promise!”
MEET GEORGE
A single father of two children under the age of 10, George was doing everything in his power to create a stable family life. The family had their own home in Helena, MT, and George was steadily employed and paid all his bills on time. He’d heard about the impact of COVID on local housing and knew home prices in his community had tripled over the past year. Though not a concern for him, he saw how the threat of eviction loomed large for many families across the country.
Then a health emergency with his young son turned the settled life he’d known upside down. Keeping up with the medical bills meant George fell behind on rent, and in the midst of the housing crisis, he started to fear for his own family’s home.
Family Promise of Greater Helena showed him those fears were unfounded. $250 in rent assistance was all he needed to overcome his hurdles, and Family Promise offered him that support through its homelessness prevention program A Future Begins at Home. Now, the family is stable once again.
When it comes to preventing homelessness, a little can go a long way.
“Once people start to get behind, things can easily spiral downhill,” says Renee Bauer, executive director at Family Promise of Greater Helena. “That’s one of the real values of Family Promise’s prevention work. We can put people in a secure position so they can continue to move forward. It’s much more cost effective to keep people in their homes than to rehouse them.”
This means families like George’s can avoid the devastation of homelessness.
“He’d done everything right and was just trying to pay his bills, but he got to a point where it wasn’t quite enough,” Bauer explains. “$250 was the difference between the family staying in their home or becoming homeless. I’d say that’s a worthwhile investment!”
MEET BRITTANY
The relationships families develop when they come to Family Promise last a lifetime. That’s why Brittany knew she could turn to Family Promise of Greater Roanoke, VA, for support last winter, even though her family had graduated from the shelter program there several years ago. At that time, they had entered shelter, and Brittany worked with Family Promise to find steady employment. Before long, she and her two children moved into a home of their own.
When COVID hit, however, the Virginia mom found herself out of work once again. The family moved in with Brittany’s mom, which was a risk in itself – her mom lived in income-based housing with strict lease stipulations, including how many people were permitted to live in the unit. Brittany found work, but when schools and day care centers shut down, she was faced with the choice of staying home with her kids or going to work. She chose family…and lost her job.
All the while, the family was living on borrowed time – they couldn’t remain in their grandmother’s home forever. Brittany reached out to Family Promise and immediately began to discover solutions. To start, she found a job that offered her the ability to work from home while schools were remote. Family Promise tapped its landlord connections to get the family into their own home, and despite her imperfect rental history, Brittany’s landlord knew she had the support of Family Promise. Family Promise prevention funds settled Brittany’s past rent arrears and help with the deposit and first month’s rent of her new place. Now, a year later, the family is still in their apartment, the kids are back in school, and Brittany is thriving at work.
MEET SUZANNE
Suzanne had done everything right.
The Oregon mom had a steady job, and she and her daughter lived within their means. When Suzanne became ill, she was proactive and scheduled a necessary surgery. But the illness caused her to miss work regularly, ultimately resulting in the loss of her job.
Suzanne immediately applied for unemployment benefits and found a less expensive apartment that better suited her reduced income. She and her daughter prepared to move to more affordable housing, and Suzanne planned to find a new job post-surgery.
But medical expenses had taken a toll on her finances, and Suzanne realized she couldn’t afford the deposits and expenses needed to move into their new home, even if the rent was more affordable. She and her daughter were about to find themselves “in between apartments” – in other words, homeless.
A crisis was averted when Family Promise of Tualatin Valley, OR, assisted the family through the A Future Begins at Home homelessness prevention program. Family Promise offered short-term help with rent and utilities for the new apartment that amounted to a mere $1,800. The family moved right before Suzanne underwent surgery. Suzanne found a new work-from-home job while still recovering and even managed to get her car repaired.
Today, Suzanne and her daughter are financially secure, Suzanne’s doing well in her job, and the family doesn’t receive any type of assistance – Family Promise provided the support network that enabled the family to avoid catastrophe.
MEET KYLIE & DAVID
When Kylie says, “Life doesn’t stop for anybody,” the Cedar Rapids, IA, mom knows what she’s talking about. This year, her three-year-old son, Cooper, underwent a kidney transplant, and finances have been tight as her partner, David, experienced an employment rollercoaster caused by the health pandemic.
“We hit a rough patch,” she says. “But rental assistance has helped, and our landlords are wonderful.”
Their landlords, Gutschmidt Properties, are committed to offering tenants safe, environmentally friendly housing. Sandy Locke, director of operations at the property management firm, says, “There’s more to leasing a home than rent. We deal with people’s lives.”
Locke learned many of those lives were adversely affected by the health pandemic – dozens of tenants in Gutschmidt’s 80 units were so severely impacted by COVID they couldn’t afford rent.
“Some families were just a month or two behind but couldn’t get caught up,” Locke says. “As a small business, it was a lot of money to float for so long.”
When Family Promise of Linn County, IA, learned of the situation, they reached out to help. A donor-funded Family Promise Innovation Grant for homelessness prevention enabled the Affiliate to cover rent arrears for every family in need, a huge relief to 30 tenants.
Kylie and David’s family was one of the households that received support. Kylie is a full-time student and spends much of her time caring for Cooper.
“If it weren’t for rental assistance and our landlords, we’d probably have been homeless,” says Kylie.
As COVID persists and tenants continue to face struggles, Locke acknowledges the safety net Family Promise offers through its prevention work.
“It was a relief to work with Family Promise and provide immediate help,” she says. “We all appreciate that.”
Meet George
A single father of two children under the age of 10, George was doing everything in his power to create a stable family life. The family had their own home in Helena, MT, and George was steadily employed and paid all his bills on time. He’d heard about the impact of COVID on local housing and knew home prices in his community had tripled over the past year. Though not a concern for him, he saw how the threat of eviction loomed large for many families across the country.
Then a health emergency with his young son turned the settled life he’d known upside down. Keeping up with the medical bills meant George fell behind on rent, and in the midst of the housing crisis, he started to fear for his own family’s home.
Family Promise of Greater Helena showed him those fears were unfounded. $250 in rent assistance was all he needed to overcome his hurdles, and Family Promise offered him that support through its homelessness prevention program A Future Begins at Home. Now, the family is stable once again.
When it comes to preventing homelessness, a little can go a long way.
“Once people start to get behind, things can easily spiral downhill,” says Renee Bauer, executive director at Family Promise of Greater Helena. “That’s one of the real values of Family Promise’s prevention work. We can put people in a secure position so they can continue to move forward. It’s much more cost effective to keep people in their homes than to rehouse them.”
This means families like George’s can avoid the devastation of homelessness.
“He’d done everything right and was just trying to pay his bills, but he got to a point where it wasn’t quite enough,” Bauer explains. “$250 was the difference between the family staying in their home or becoming homeless. I’d say that’s a worthwhile investment!”
Meet Karita and Alejandro
Karita and Alejandro were struggling to make ends meet last summer when Alejandro’s company shut down due to COVID. Although they were excited about the pending birth of their second child, they worried more than ever about their ability to remain in their apartment and provide for their growing family. They turned to Family Promise of Waukesha County in Wisconsin for support.
Losing their home was never a concern thanks to A Future Begins at Home homelessness prevention program. Family Promise provided temporary rent assistance until Alejandro’s company re-opened. And when car troubles arose, Family Promise covered the necessary repairs. Family Promise even surprised Karita with a baby shower.Unexpected health complications put Karita in the hospital shortly after her son was born, and Alejandro lost time at work caring for their children. But the family has remained in their home and maintains hope for the future as they continue to work with Family Promise to regain stability.
“Family Promise was there for us,” says Karita. “With their help, I was able to focus 100 percent on my recovery, eliminating much stress.”
She adds, “I want everyone to hear our story and how we are able to still tell it – thanks to Family Promise!”
Meet SARAH
Sarah knows all too well how a theft can put your entire future at risk.
Widowed some years ago, Sarah was using her late husband’s Social Security death benefit to pay the monthly rent on her family’s home. But when a thief broke into her car and stole her purse, which contained her Social Security and debit cards, she lost the documentation that enabled her to receive those monthly survivor benefits. Sarah immediately filed a police report and applied for new cards. In the meantime, however, she was unable to afford the $500 monthly rent on top of all the other expenses of raising a family, and she and her six-year-old daughter risked losing their home.
When they found Family Promise of Butler County in Hamilton, OH, they found a way to avoid homelessness. Funds available through Family Promise’s prevention program A Future Begins at Home ensured the rent was covered until Sarah received her new identification and debit cards. The temporary support was all the family needed to overcome that hurdle and remain in their longtime home.
Meet SUZANNE
Suzanne had done everything right.
The Oregon mom had a steady job, and she and her daughter lived within their means. When Suzanne became ill, she was proactive and scheduled a necessary surgery. But the illness caused her to miss work regularly, ultimately resulting in the loss of her job.
Suzanne immediately applied for unemployment benefits and found a less expensive apartment that better suited her reduced income. She and her daughter prepared to move to more affordable housing, and Suzanne planned to find a new job post-surgery.
But medical expenses had taken a toll on her finances, and Suzanne realized she couldn’t afford the deposits and expenses needed to move into their new home, even if the rent was more affordable. She and her daughter were about to find themselves “in between apartments” – in other words, homeless.
A crisis was averted when Family Promise of Tualatin Valley, OR, assisted the family through the A Future Begins at Home homelessness prevention program. Family Promise offered short-term help with rent and utilities for the new apartment that amounted to a mere $1,800. The family moved right before Suzanne underwent surgery. Suzanne found a new work-from-home job while still recovering and even managed to get her car repaired.
Today, Suzanne and her daughter are financially secure, Suzanne’s doing well in her job, and the family doesn’t receive any type of assistance – Family Promise provided the support network that enabled the family to avoid catastrophe.
Meet LAKIAH
The telephone was a lifeline for LaKiah last year.
An established employee at a financial institution, she had a solid income to support herself and her teenage daughter. But when COVID hit and many businesses began to suffer, LaKiah lost her job. It was a chain reaction from there: the loss of income meant she and her teenage daughter fell behind on rent, and eventually their landlord turned them out of their home despite the eviction moratorium in place at the time.
The pair began sleeping on friends’ sofas, and LaKiah sank into a deep depression until a friend referred her to Family Promise of Greater Roanoke, VA. It was mostly over phone calls that the single mom worked with Family Promise to get her life back on track. Unemployment benefits facilitated the family’s move into a small house of their own, and funding from Family Promise’s A Future Begins at Home homelessness prevention program covered the rent deposit. Just as important, LaKiah’s frame of mind improved – having the stability of a home made all the difference to her. She has since found another job, and life is once again moving forward.
Meet Brittany
The relationships families develop when they come to Family Promise last a lifetime. That’s why Brittany knew she could turn to Family Promise of Greater Roanoke, VA, for support last winter, even though her family had graduated from the shelter program there several years ago. At that time, they had entered shelter, and Brittany worked with Family Promise to find steady employment. Before long, she and her two children moved into a home of their own.
When COVID hit, however, the Virginia mom found herself out of work once again. The family moved in with Brittany’s mom, which was a risk in itself – her mom lived in income-based housing with strict lease stipulations, including how many people were permitted to live in the unit. Brittany found work, but when schools and day care centers shut down, she was faced with the choice of staying home with her kids or going to work. She chose family…and lost her job.
All the while, the family was living on borrowed time – they couldn’t remain in their grandmother’s home forever. Brittany reached out to Family Promise and immediately began to discover solutions. To start, she found a job that offered her the ability to work from home while schools were remote. Family Promise tapped its landlord connections to get the family into their own home, and despite her imperfect rental history, Brittany’s landlord knew she had the support of Family Promise. Family Promise prevention funds settled Brittany’s past rent arrears and help with the deposit and first month’s rent of her new place. Now, a year later, the family is still in their apartment, the kids are back in school, and Brittany is thriving at work.
Meet KYLIE and DAVID
When Kylie says, “Life doesn’t stop for anybody,” the Cedar Rapids, IA, mom knows what she’s talking about. This year, her three-year-old son, Cooper, underwent a kidney transplant, and finances have been tight as her partner, David, experienced an employment rollercoaster caused by the health pandemic.
“We hit a rough patch,” she says. “But rental assistance has helped, and our landlords are wonderful.”
Their landlords, Gutschmidt Properties, are committed to offering tenants safe, environmentally friendly housing. Sandy Locke, director of operations at the property management firm, says, “There’s more to leasing a home than rent. We deal with people’s lives.”
Locke learned many of those lives were adversely affected by the health pandemic – dozens of tenants in Gutschmidt’s 80 units were so severely impacted by COVID they couldn’t afford rent.
“Some families were just a month or two behind but couldn’t get caught up,” Locke says. “As a small business, it was a lot of money to float for so long.”
When Family Promise of Linn County, IA, learned of the situation, they reached out to help. A donor-funded Family Promise Innovation Grant for homelessness prevention enabled the Affiliate to cover rent arrears for every family in need, a huge relief to 30 tenants.
Kylie and David’s family was one of the households that received support. Kylie is a full-time student and spends much of her time caring for Cooper.
“If it weren’t for rental assistance and our landlords, we’d probably have been homeless,” says Kylie.
As COVID persists and tenants continue to face struggles, Locke acknowledges the safety net Family Promise offers through its prevention work.
“It was a relief to work with Family Promise and provide immediate help,” she says. “We all appreciate that.”
Shelter
A Roof Overhead
Family Promise of Greater Savannah, GA, partnered with Airbnb owners to use vacant properties as temporary housing.
Family Promise of Union County, NJ, collaborated with landlords to house families in unoccupied apartments.
Family Promise of Clark County, WA, optimized Family Promise’s national partnership with Motel 6 to house families in hotel rooms.
Family Promise of Great Falls, MT, partnered with a local university to house families in unused dormitories.
Family Promise of Morris County, NJ, teamed up with other service providers to obtain housing vouchers, coordinate housing with landlords, and furnish properties.
Learn how finding secure shelter is the first step toward regaining independence for families in crisis
MEET CHLOE
Chloe was eight months pregnant and had a three-year-old daughter when a housing crisis forced the family to begin living out of their car. Fortunately, they soon found Family Promise of Beaverton in Oregon.
The trauma of homelessness can never be overstated, and for Chloe, it was enough to make her doubt her decision to come to Family Promise at first. She felt helpless and hopeless but recognized she needed to make changes; however, she was suspicious of the people and the process there to help her. Family Promise worked hard to gain Chloe’s trust.
Her ultimate acceptance of Family Promise didn’t mean Chloe’s journey suddenly became easy, though. Complications with her pregnancy required her to have an emergency C-section, and baby Marcus was born three weeks early and diagnosed with a rare congenital brain abnormality. Ongoing medical care and periodic hospitalizations will be a constant need for Marcus, and early on, Chloe and Marcus made at least ten trips to the hospital. On top of that, Chloe developed an infection that necessitated a second emergency surgery.
Despite her initial doubts, Chloe is grateful to have found Family Promise. Family Promise facilitated the critical medical care for her newborn son, as well as provided childcare for her daughter. Family Promise also ensured household duties like meals, laundry, and other upkeep were taken care of while Chloe recovered from surgery.
Just as significant, Family Promise identified a Safe Family who provided short-term care for baby Marcus early in Chloe’s recovery so she could rest and recuperate from her own health issues. (Safe Families are volunteers who support parents in crisis by providing a protective and loving environment for children while their parents regain stability.) This Safe Family has become yet another layer of support for Chloe and her family.
The family continues to work with Family Promise. Chloe states that once she graduates from the program she intends to give back by volunteering and adds that one day, she’d like to work for the organization.
“Why not work for a company you believe in?” she says.
MEET KARLENE
Last spring, when most people were worrying about the health pandemic and COVID vaccines, Karlene and her family had bigger concerns: where to sleep. Their car was their home for a brief time when they lost their housing and witnessing the chaos the pandemic had caused in the world, the single mom predicted a rough journey ahead. But when they found Family Promise of Brevard in Rockledge, FL, Karlene saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
Family Promise got the family into a hotel and provided meals and supplies for them. Although Karlene had a steady job, she worked with Family Promise on goal setting and budgeting with the intention of saving for her own home. Dedicated to success and working extra hours, Karlene saved more than $4,000 within a month of coming to Family Promise.
The disruption of COVID and the family’s living situation meant her son had missed some school, so Family Promise helped enroll him in a new district, and it wasn’t long before the family moved into an affordable apartment. Karlene says none of this would have happened without Family Promise.
“It can be really hard for single parents,” she says. “Coming up with all that money – first and last month’s rent, a security deposit – that’s not easy if you can’t save up. Without Family Promise, I think we’d still be homeless.”
Now her son is thriving in school, and Karlene is in the process of earning her GED. She continues to work with Family Promise to maintain stability.
“Just knowing someone’s there to check on you and make sure you’re staying on task, I like that,” she says. “It helps keep me focused.”
Eventually, Karlene hopes to attend culinary school.
“I love cooking with a passion. Any time I’m in the kitchen, I just love making people smile with good food,” she says.
Her experience at Family Promise helped shape her plans, and she adds, “Once I get into school, I’d love to give back to Family Promise and help other families who need food.”
Karlene and her family are well on their way to a better future, and they’re grateful for all they learned at Family Promise.
“It was tough,” Karlene says. “We went from living in a car to a hotel, then a hotel to our apartment. It would be easy to get discouraged, but once we got to Family Promise, I knew better days were coming.”
MEET MELANIE & ANDREW
Melanie and Andrew were battling homelessness with a premature newborn when they came to Family Promise of Greater Helena, MT. The first-time parents, who were both developmentally disabled, needed more than shelter – they needed help with parenting and life skills.
Although Family Promise had reduced its emergency shelter program due to COVID, the Affiliate was able to take the family in, and volunteers immediately flocked to their side. Most noticeably, Family Promise implemented a “volunteer grandma” program to support the parents and help teach them critical skills. A handful of volunteers met with the family regularly each week to ensure Melanie and Andrew were comfortable and confident in caring for their newborn, and the parents also attended parenting classes. The baby thrived, and within three months, the family was in their own home.
MEET ILISAPETI & HEN
Ilisapeti had never learned to budget. When she, her husband, Hen, and their three children moved to Las Vegas, the casinos seemed more like a fun pastime than the treacherous path they became.
“I loved the slots!” Ilisapeti recalls. “I enjoyed spending. I used up all our money without thinking about my family.”
What followed was homelessness. The family found a shelter, but when Ilisapeti and Hen considered their future, they knew that wasn’t enough. They turned to Family Promise of Las Vegas, NV, because it offered the opportunity to achieve stability.
“We wanted stable housing. I needed to stop gambling. Family Promise opened my eyes to what we could do,” Ilisapeti says.
Family Promise sheltered the family and worked with them on budgeting and planning. Ilisapeti and Hen also participated in New Beginnings, a Family Promise financial literacy program that was facilitated by the president of a local bank.
“It was hard!” Ilisapeti says. “I was shocked when I learned how much money I should be saving! I used to just spend. I needed to make more money.”
An old injury kept Hen from working, leaving Ilisapeti the sole provider. She considers their time at Family Promise a wake-up call. They learned how to prioritize spending and set goals, and Family Promise provided meals and other necessities so they could focus on a fresh start.
“We finally started saving,” says Ilisapeti. “You can’t get ahead if you have all these expenses, and my problem was saving.”
With help preparing a resume and obtaining a work wardrobe, Ilisapeti found a better paying job. Now, the family is in their own apartment, furnished in part by Family Promise donations, and Ilisapeti and Hen are learning to budget their increased income and hone parenting skills. They still have their struggles, but they’re determined to succeed.
“What really motivates me is my kids,” Ilisapeti says. “They were scared and asked why we were always moving. They’re happy now that we’re in our own place.”
She adds, “Family Promise is like nothing we’ve ever gone through. It’s not just a bed. They help you get ahead to have a good life.”
MEET DANA
Dana and her children have known homelessness in many shapes. When they found themselves homeless in the midst of a global health pandemic, the family slept in parks, in friends’ backyards, even in abandoned houses. At one point, they lived in a hotel far from Dana’s job that required an expensive Uber commute. But in January, they found Family Promise Union County in Elizabeth, NJ, and their stretch of homelessness came to an end. Today, Dana almost doesn’t recognize her own life.
“When we got to Family Promise, right away I started to see doors opening for me,” she says.
Family Promise helped Dana with transportation and meals and tapped its extensive network of local landlords to move the family into an apartment, ensuring the space had sufficient Wi-Fi for remote schooling during the pandemic. Family Promise also helped with furnishings and household necessities. Through a partnership with Avocado Green Mattress, Family Promise supplied the family with six high-quality mattresses, and a local volunteer working toward his Eagle Scout badge built them custom bed frames.
Dana and her family are steadily regaining stability, working with Family Promise on budgeting and planning. The landlord of the temporary apartment Family Promise found for them even offered them a long-term lease because they’ve been model tenants.
For the children, having their own home has been life changing. The kids have bedrooms and their own beds. They have a yard to play in and reliable internet service for schoolwork. They have a home. But perhaps the most significant changes are the things no one can see. Like how Dana’s oldest daughter was able to get ready for her high school prom in her own home. Or how the family can snuggle together on the living room sofa to watch movies. Or how the children are happy and finally sleeping well.
“This is stuff I’ve always wanted for my kids,” says Dana. “They’ve been through a lot. I’m just so grateful.”
MEET EMMA
Ten-year-old Emma had never known a home of her own. Her family had stayed with friends or lived in hotels throughout Indiana for as long as she could remember. But last year, the local fire marshal shut down the hotel they were living in, and the family was given three hours to vacate the premises.
Fortunately, Family Promise of Hendricks County in Plainfield, IN, learned of the situation as it was taking place and rushed to the scene, where Emma and her parents and siblings were frantically throwing their few belongings into garbage bags, fear written on their faces. Family Promise learned that Emma and her family had no support system and no other housing options and offered to shelter the family and help them work toward stable housing. Emma’s family readily agreed.
As Family Promise staff helped the family pack up, mom Alicia revealed that they had never had their own home. Although dad Brian was employed, the family had never been able to get ahead financially. Most of their income went toward hotel rooms.
Because COVID had disrupted traditional shelter models, Family Promise moved the family into another hotel. But this hotel stay was different. Family Promise helped Alicia find a steady job to boost the family’s income. They also worked with Alicia and Brian to hone budgeting and planning skills. Once the family felt stable, Family Promise helped them find an affordable home of their own. For the first time ever, Brian and Alicia signed a lease.
Asked if she was excited about her new home, Emma replied, “Yes! Especially because we never had one before!”
Meet CHLOE
Chloe was eight months pregnant and had a three-year-old daughter when a housing crisis forced the family to begin living out of their car. Fortunately, they soon found Family Promise of Beaverton in Oregon.
The trauma of homelessness can never be overstated, and for Chloe, it was enough to make her doubt her decision to come to Family Promise at first. She felt helpless and hopeless but recognized she needed to make changes; however, she was suspicious of the people and the process there to help her. Family Promise worked hard to gain Chloe’s trust.
Her ultimate acceptance of Family Promise didn’t mean Chloe’s journey suddenly became easy, though. Complications with her pregnancy required her to have an emergency C-section, and baby Marcus was born three weeks early and diagnosed with a rare congenital brain abnormality. Ongoing medical care and periodic hospitalizations will be a constant need for Marcus, and early on, Chloe and Marcus made at least ten trips to the hospital. On top of that, Chloe developed an infection that necessitated a second emergency surgery.
Despite her initial doubts, Chloe is grateful to have found Family Promise. Family Promise facilitated the critical medical care for her newborn son, as well as provided childcare for her daughter. Family Promise also ensured household duties like meals, laundry, and other upkeep were taken care of while Chloe recovered from surgery.
Just as significant, Family Promise identified a Safe Family who provided short-term care for baby Marcus early in Chloe’s recovery so she could rest and recuperate from her own health issues. (Safe Families are volunteers who support parents in crisis by providing a protective and loving environment for children while their parents regain stability.) This Safe Family has become yet another layer of support for Chloe and her family.
The family continues to work with Family Promise. Chloe states that once she graduates from the program she intends to give back by volunteering and adds that one day, she’d like to work for the organization.
“Why not work for a company you believe in?” she says.
Meet Karlene
Last spring, when most people were worrying about the health pandemic and COVID vaccines, Karlene and her family had bigger concerns: where to sleep. Their car was their home for a brief time when they lost their housing and witnessing the chaos the pandemic had caused in the world, the single mom predicted a rough journey ahead. But when they found Family Promise of Brevard in Rockledge, FL, Karlene saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
Family Promise got the family into a hotel and provided meals and supplies for them. Although Karlene had a steady job, she worked with Family Promise on goal setting and budgeting with the intention of saving for her own home. Dedicated to success and working extra hours, Karlene saved more than $4,000 within a month of coming to Family Promise.
The disruption of COVID and the family’s living situation meant her son had missed some school, so Family Promise helped enroll him in a new district, and it wasn’t long before the family moved into an affordable apartment. Karlene says none of this would have happened without Family Promise.
“It can be really hard for single parents,” she says. “Coming up with all that money – first and last month’s rent, a security deposit – that’s not easy if you can’t save up. Without Family Promise, I think we’d still be homeless.”
Now her son is thriving in school, and Karlene is in the process of earning her GED. She continues to work with Family Promise to maintain stability.
“Just knowing someone’s there to check on you and make sure you’re staying on task, I like that,” she says. “It helps keep me focused.”
Eventually, Karlene hopes to attend culinary school.
“I love cooking with a passion. Any time I’m in the kitchen, I just love making people smile with good food,” she says.
Her experience at Family Promise helped shape her plans, and she adds, “Once I get into school, I’d love to give back to Family Promise and help other families who need food.”
Karlene and her family are well on their way to a better future, and they’re grateful for all they learned at Family Promise.
“It was tough,” Karlene says. “We went from living in a car to a hotel, then a hotel to our apartment. It would be easy to get discouraged, but once we got to Family Promise, I knew better days were coming.”
Meet Melanie and Andrew
Melanie and Andrew were battling homelessness with a premature newborn when they came to Family Promise of Greater Helena, MT. The first-time parents, who were both developmentally disabled, needed more than shelter – they needed help with parenting and life skills.
Although Family Promise had reduced its emergency shelter program due to COVID, the Affiliate was able to take the family in, and volunteers immediately flocked to their side. Most noticeably, Family Promise implemented a “volunteer grandma” program to support the parents and help teach them critical skills. A handful of volunteers met with the family regularly each week to ensure Melanie and Andrew were comfortable and confident in caring for their newborn, and the parents also attended parenting classes. The baby thrived, and within three months, the family was in their own home.
Meet Ilisapeti and Hen
Ilisapeti had never learned to budget. When she, her husband, Hen, and their three children moved to Las Vegas, the casinos seemed more like a fun pastime than the treacherous path they became.
“I loved the slots!” Ilisapeti recalls. “I enjoyed spending. I used up all our money without thinking about my family.”
What followed was homelessness. The family found a shelter, but when Ilisapeti and Hen considered their future, they knew that wasn’t enough. They turned to Family Promise of Las Vegas, NV, because it offered the opportunity to achieve stability.
“We wanted stable housing. I needed to stop gambling. Family Promise opened my eyes to what we could do,” Ilisapeti says.
Family Promise sheltered the family and worked with them on budgeting and planning. Ilisapeti and Hen also participated in New Beginnings, a Family Promise financial literacy program that was facilitated by the president of a local bank.
“It was hard!” Ilisapeti says. “I was shocked when I learned how much money I should be saving! I used to just spend. I needed to make more money.”
An old injury kept Hen from working, leaving Ilisapeti the sole provider. She considers their time at Family Promise a wake-up call. They learned how to prioritize spending and set goals, and Family Promise provided meals and other necessities so they could focus on a fresh start.
“We finally started saving,” says Ilisapeti. “You can’t get ahead if you have all these expenses, and my problem was saving.”
With help preparing a resume and obtaining a work wardrobe, Ilisapeti found a better paying job. Now, the family is in their own apartment, furnished in part by Family Promise donations, and Ilisapeti and Hen are learning to budget their increased income and hone parenting skills. They still have their struggles, but they’re determined to succeed.
“What really motivates me is my kids,” Ilisapeti says. “They were scared and asked why we were always moving. They’re happy now that we’re in our own place.”
She adds, “Family Promise is like nothing we’ve ever gone through. It’s not just a bed. They help you get ahead to have a good life.”
Meet DANA
Dana and her children have known homelessness in many shapes. When they found themselves homeless in the midst of a global health pandemic, the family slept in parks, in friends’ backyards, even in abandoned houses. At one point, they lived in a hotel far from Dana’s job that required an expensive Uber commute. But in January, they found Family Promise Union County in Elizabeth, NJ, and their stretch of homelessness came to an end. Today, Dana almost doesn’t recognize her own life.
“When we got to Family Promise, right away I started to see doors opening for me,” she says.
Family Promise helped Dana with transportation and meals and tapped its extensive network of local landlords to move the family into an apartment, ensuring the space had sufficient Wi-Fi for remote schooling during the pandemic. Family Promise also helped with furnishings and household necessities. Through a partnership with Avocado Green Mattress, Family Promise supplied the family with six high-quality mattresses, and a local volunteer working toward his Eagle Scout badge built them custom bed frames.
Dana and her family are steadily regaining stability, working with Family Promise on budgeting and planning. The landlord of the temporary apartment Family Promise found for them even offered them a long-term lease because they’ve been model tenants.
For the children, having their own home has been life changing. The kids have bedrooms and their own beds. They have a yard to play in and reliable internet service for schoolwork. They have a home. But perhaps the most significant changes are the things no one can see. Like how Dana’s oldest daughter was able to get ready for her high school prom in her own home. Or how the family can snuggle together on the living room sofa to watch movies. Or how the children are happy and finally sleeping well.
“This is stuff I’ve always wanted for my kids,” says Dana. “They’ve been through a lot. I’m just so grateful.”
Meet Emma
Ten-year-old Emma had never known a home of her own. Her family had stayed with friends or lived in hotels throughout Indiana for as long as she could remember. But last year, the local fire marshal shut down the hotel they were living in, and the family was given three hours to vacate the premises.
Fortunately, Family Promise of Hendricks County in Plainfield, IN, learned of the situation as it was taking place and rushed to the scene, where Emma and her parents and siblings were frantically throwing their few belongings into garbage bags, fear written on their faces. Family Promise learned that Emma and her family had no support system and no other housing options and offered to shelter the family and help them work toward stable housing. Emma’s family readily agreed.
As Family Promise staff helped the family pack up, mom Alicia revealed that they had never had their own home. Although dad Brian was employed, the family had never been able to get ahead financially. Most of their income went toward hotel rooms.
Because COVID had disrupted traditional shelter models, Family Promise moved the family into another hotel. But this hotel stay was different. Family Promise helped Alicia find a steady job to boost the family’s income. They also worked with Alicia and Brian to hone budgeting and planning skills. Once the family felt stable, Family Promise helped them find an affordable home of their own. For the first time ever, Brian and Alicia signed a lease.
Asked if she was excited about her new home, Emma replied, “Yes! Especially because we never had one before!”
Stabilization
Family Promise is Forever
Learn how Family Promise develops lasting relationships with families to ensure continued success
MEET ALYSSA
Alyssa was preparing to move into a new apartment with her young child when unexpected delays pushed back their move-in date. With nowhere else to turn until the apartment was available, the new mom turned to Family Promise of the Palouse in Moscow, ID, for temporary shelter. While there, Alyssa worked with Family Promise to address healthcare issues and finding day care.
Kevin was one of the first Family Promise staffers she met. He’s full of compassion for families in crisis and loves his job, but inevitably he likes to lie down and get some shut eye, so instead of a desk at the office, Kevin has a bed. It’s all in a day’s work for him as the Affiliate’s therapy dog.
“Kevin is a calming presence to everyone,” says Family Promise of the Palouse Executive Director Janine Rivera. “He picks up on when families are uneasy or under stress and automatically goes to them. If kids are nervous, he just lies down quietly until they warm up to him. And they always do!”
The Newfoundland belongs to Case Manager Rebecca Ryan, who brings him with her to work each day and includes him in family meetings. She noticed an immediate change in the way families opened up when Kevin was around.
“When families come to us, they’re usually in a state of anxiety and stress,” she says. “When Kevin’s here, they’re immediately drawn to him, and him to them. He’s an icebreaker, a bridge to ease the transition. And if anyone gets upset, he’s always right there to comfort them.”
Alyssa has anxiety issues and has a cat that serves as an emotional support animal, but her brother was caring for it until the family moved into their apartment. Kevin has served as a great source of comfort for her, initially while they were in shelter, and now in their home as Alyssa continues to work with Family Promise to maintain stability. She can attest to Kevin’s dedicated “work ethic.”
“He’s really gentle and a calming presence during meetings,” she says. “He’ll notice if I’m starting to get upset and just put his head under my hand so I can pet him.”
MEET Jewel
When Jewel came to Family Promise of Gainesville in Florida, she saw a wealth of opportunities. She worked with Family Promise on budgeting, planning, and parenting skills, learning how to build valuable family time into her busy schedule. She was employed full-time but wanted to find a way to create room for career growth. Family Promise’s national partnership with Grow with Google gave her the opportunity she needed. The online certification program enables participants to develop skills to increase their employment marketability and earning potential. Jewel enrolled in the Grow with Google career development program with her eye on the future. She’s about half-way to her certification in Technical Support Fundamentals, a six-month online course, and she has already expanded her skill set enough to receive a raise.
The program is challenging and time-consuming, which means not only is she learning about communications and the internet, she’s learning about time management. Jewel is optimistic about her professional development.
“I’m hoping the IT program will either heighten my current position or shift me into a greater career,” she says.
MEET THE Burton-Torres Family
The Burton-Torres family graduated from the shelter program at Family Promise of Butler County in Hamilton, OH, about three years ago. Parents Claire and Felix had worked with Family Promise to find steady employment, stabilize their finances, and find a new home. As life returned to normal, they even began to give back, supporting Family Promise with donations and supplies for families in crisis who had followed in their footsteps.
But last year, when their car broke down, Claire and Felix had flashbacks to their experience with homelessness. Without transportation, they couldn’t get to work, but they had four children to support and rent to pay. And although both parents had been working for several years, they hadn’t been able to set much money aside for an emergency like this.
Fortunately, Claire and Felix knew that when you come to Family Promise, you’re forever part of the family. Stabilization support from Family Promise helped the Burton-Torres family avoid further disruption or even a fall back into homelessness due to an inability to pay rent. Stabilization funds enabled them to remain in their home while their car was repaired. Claire and Felix continued working, rebuilt their modest savings, and quickly got life back on track. And their children continued to sleep in their own beds every night, as usual.
MEET Tina
Tina, her fiancé, and their two children spent most of their time on the beach in Hawaii. It was a playground for the children, and the family caught fresh seafood for meals. On the surface, it sounded like the perfect life.
In reality, it was far from idyllic. They were homeless and living in their car, and the beach wasn’t a luxury – it was a lifeline. The family spent days on the beach to escape the confines of their car, and fishing was the family’s link to healthy food.
Then COVID hit, public parks and beaches closed, and the family’s primary source of stability was eliminated. They panicked.
“They closed down all of the beaches, and so we had no place to shower,” says Tina, noting that the family regularly used the public beach facilities.
Providing for her children and feeding the family became a challenge.
“Having two kids was difficult, not in the way of taking care of them and loving them, because we’d go to the ends of the earth for them. But as far as showering them and feeding them and stuff,” she explains, adding, “The only healthy food we could get was, like, 7-11.”
She continues, “When COVID happened, we couldn’t go to the beach, and we couldn’t go to the parks. We were just all in the car. They even had strict rules as far as fishing.”
An internet search led Tina to Family Promise of Honolulu.
It was only Family Promise that gave me a good solid promise that everything’s gonna be ok.
MEET Melinda
Melinda was already employed when she and her family entered the shelter program at Family Promise Union County in Elizabeth, NJ. Melinda was looking to thrive in a career and saw an opportunity through Family Promise’s partnership with Grow with Google. She’s currently learning website and graphic design skills.
“I like that I can go at my own pace,” she says. “It keeps me motivated.”
Just weeks into the User Experience certificate program, Melinda already sees benefits.
“I’m able to do this even without prior experience,” she says. “This is important, and it helps to have Family Promise supporting me.”
Meet ALYSSA
Alyssa was preparing to move into a new apartment with her young child when unexpected delays pushed back their move-in date. With nowhere else to turn until the apartment was available, the new mom turned to Family Promise of the Palouse in Moscow, ID, for temporary shelter. While there, Alyssa worked with Family Promise to address healthcare issues and finding day care.
Kevin was one of the first Family Promise staffers she met. He’s full of compassion for families in crisis and loves his job, but inevitably he likes to lie down and get some shut eye, so instead of a desk at the office, Kevin has a bed. It’s all in a day’s work for him as the Affiliate’s therapy dog.
“Kevin is a calming presence to everyone,” says Family Promise of the Palouse Executive Director Janine Rivera. “He picks up on when families are uneasy or under stress and automatically goes to them. If kids are nervous, he just lies down quietly until they warm up to him. And they always do!”
The Newfoundland belongs to Case Manager Rebecca Ryan, who brings him with her to work each day and includes him in family meetings. She noticed an immediate change in the way families opened up when Kevin was around.
“When families come to us, they’re usually in a state of anxiety and stress,” she says. “When Kevin’s here, they’re immediately drawn to him, and him to them. He’s an icebreaker, a bridge to ease the transition. And if anyone gets upset, he’s always right there to comfort them.”
Alyssa has anxiety issues and has a cat that serves as an emotional support animal, but her brother was caring for it until the family moved into their apartment. Kevin has served as a great source of comfort for her, initially while they were in shelter, and now in their home as Alyssa continues to work with Family Promise to maintain stability. She can attest to Kevin’s dedicated “work ethic.”
“He’s really gentle and a calming presence during meetings,” she says. “He’ll notice if I’m starting to get upset and just put his head under my hand so I can pet him.”
Meet The Burton-Torres Family
The Burton-Torres family graduated from the shelter program at Family Promise of Butler County in Hamilton, OH, about three years ago. Parents Claire and Felix had worked with Family Promise to find steady employment, stabilize their finances, and find a new home. As life returned to normal, they even began to give back, supporting Family Promise with donations and supplies for families in crisis who had followed in their footsteps.
But last year, when their car broke down, Claire and Felix had flashbacks to their experience with homelessness. Without transportation, they couldn’t get to work, but they had four children to support and rent to pay. And although both parents had been working for several years, they hadn’t been able to set much money aside for an emergency like this.
Fortunately, Claire and Felix knew that when you come to Family Promise, you’re forever part of the family. Stabilization support from Family Promise helped the Burton-Torres family avoid further disruption or even a fall back into homelessness due to an inability to pay rent. Stabilization funds enabled them to remain in their home while their car was repaired. Claire and Felix continued working, rebuilt their modest savings, and quickly got life back on track. And their children continued to sleep in their own beds every night, as usual.
Meet Jewel
When Jewel came to Family Promise of Gainesville in Florida, she saw a wealth of opportunities. She worked with Family Promise on budgeting, planning, and parenting skills, learning how to build valuable family time into her busy schedule. She was employed full-time but wanted to find a way to create room for career growth. Family Promise’s national partnership with Grow with Google gave her the opportunity she needed. The online certification program enables participants to develop skills to increase their employment marketability and earning potential. Jewel enrolled in the Grow with Google career development program with her eye on the future. She’s about half-way to her certification in Technical Support Fundamentals, a six-month online course, and she has already expanded her skill set enough to receive a raise.
The program is challenging and time-consuming, which means not only is she learning about communications and the internet, she’s learning about time management. Jewel is optimistic about her professional development.
“I’m hoping the IT program will either heighten my current position or shift me into a greater career,” she says.
Meet Melinda
Melinda was already employed when she and her family entered the shelter program at Family Promise Union County in Elizabeth, NJ. Melinda was looking to thrive in a career and saw an opportunity through Family Promise’s partnership with Grow with Google. She’s currently learning website and graphic design skills.
“I like that I can go at my own pace,” she says. “It keeps me motivated.”
Just weeks into the User Experience certificate program, Melinda already sees benefits.
“I’m able to do this even without prior experience,” she says. “This is important, and it helps to have Family Promise supporting me.”
Meet Tina
Tina, her fiancé, and their two children spent most of their time on the beach in Hawaii. It was a playground for the children, and the family caught fresh seafood for meals. On the surface, it sounded like the perfect life.
In reality, it was far from idyllic. They were homeless and living in their car, and the beach wasn’t a luxury – it was a lifeline. The family spent days on the beach to escape the confines of their car, and fishing was the family’s link to healthy food.
Then COVID hit, public parks and beaches closed, and the family’s primary source of stability was eliminated. They panicked.
“They closed down all of the beaches, and so we had no place to shower,” says Tina, noting that the family regularly used the public beach facilities.
Providing for her children and feeding the family became a challenge.
“Having two kids was difficult, not in the way of taking care of them and loving them, because we’d go to the ends of the earth for them. But as far as showering them and feeding them and stuff,” she explains, adding, “The only healthy food we could get was, like, 7-11.”
She continues, “When COVID happened, we couldn’t go to the beach, and we couldn’t go to the parks. We were just all in the car. They even had strict rules as far as fishing.”
An internet search led Tina to Family Promise of Honolulu.
It was only Family Promise that gave me a good solid promise that everything’s gonna be ok.
Tina shares her family’s story HERE:
31,034
episodes of homelessness avoided or shortened through prevention and diversion
1,000,000
served since our founding
in 1988
72
Affiliates with staff and/or board members with lived experience of family homelessness
“That’s what’s so great about Family Promise: they give families more than shelter, they help them focus on healing and moving forward.”
– Collisa, Family Promise graduate
Family Promise Union County
Family Promise Union County, better known as FPUC, in Elizabeth, NJ, is Family Promise’s flagship program overseen by the national office. Like all our Affiliates, FPUC tackles the crisis of family homelessness through comprehensive services that address homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, and stabilization support.
Family Promise Union County, better known as FPUC, in Elizabeth, NJ, is Family Promise’s flagship program overseen by the national office. Like all our Affiliates, FPUC tackles the crisis of family homelessness through comprehensive services that address homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, and stabilization support.
Despite the economic disruption and a prolonged affordable housing shortage exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, FPUC continued to serve families in crisis. Working with more than 120 landlords, FPUC safely sheltered 12 families in apartments. Even more impressive, all the families who graduated from the shelter program moved into permanent housing.
Hurricane Ida completely devastated FPUC’s offices and day center in 2021, but staff quickly relocated, and volunteers pitched in to help clean up the debris. FPUC continues to look for new office space.
FPUC also focused on homelessness prevention efforts and helped 200 families avoid the trauma of losing their homes. Because of access to support like rent and utility assistance, financial literacy education, and life skills development, 73 children and their families will never know the anguish of experiencing homelessness. FPUC also administered CARES Act funding for 113 households.
As always, volunteers and partners played a critical role in helping FPUC families navigate their return to stability and independence. 1,500 volunteers supported families through item drives, donations, academic tutoring, move-ins, day center support, health and wellness activities, budget counseling, and tax preparation. FPUC also partnered with local organizations and agencies to offer families cooking workshops and a vaccine information clinic, as well as housewares, furniture, automobiles, and more. In addition, FPUC took advantage of Family Promise’s partnership with Grow with Google to help guests and graduates further their careers and earning potential through digital training and skills development.
In August, Hurricane Ida devastated the FPUC day center as well as hundreds of households in Union County. Staff relocated to temporary quarters and continued to work with families, including many who were displaced by the storm. Meanwhile, FPUC volunteers helped clean up and sort through debris. The damage was extensive, and FPUC continues to search for a new space.
Learn more about our Hurricane Ida recovery:
12
families (including 25 children) served through shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services
200
families (including 73 children) served through diversion and prevention
100
families served
through post-program
graduate support
7,114
overnight stays
100%
of sheltered families who exited FPUC moved into permanent housing
19,662
meals
126
landlord partnerships
1,500
volunteers
25
families served through rental assistance
Plus, more than 2,000 individuals served through information and referrals.
FPUC Partners
Atlantic Health
Avocado Green Mattress
Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services
Catholic Charities
Center for Women Career Closet
Central Presbyterian Lena Willis Mission Endowment Fund
City of Elizabeth
Community Access Unlimited
Community Health Law Project
Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless
Furniture Assist
HomeFirst
IKEA
Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss
Jewish Family Services
Joyal Capital Management
Junior League of Summit
Keller Williams Realty
Knights of Columbus
Legal Services
Marty’s Reliable Cycle
Menstrual Products for NJ
Moms for Moms
Overlook Family Medicine
Overlook Hospital
Prevention Links
PROCEED
Project Hygiene
Salvation Army
Seelaus
SOMA Sewing Volunteers
St. Joseph’s
Summit High School Family Promise Club
Summit Police Department
Summit YMCA
Support the Girls
Union County Human Services
Union County Social Services
United Way
Urban League of Union County
Walmart
YMCA
YWCA
FPUC Volunteer Stories
Leading the Fight Against Family Homelessness
Sierra and her mom lived out of their car before finding Family Promise of Orange County in Anaheim, CA. The family was featured in a photo essay by The Guardian. Click the image to learn more about their story. Photo credit: The Guardian
Family Promise graduate Romona was featured in an NPR story on single mothers overcoming homelessness. She’s now pursuing a degree while working at a job she loves and recently became a homeowner. Click the image for her full story. Photo credit: The New York Times
As she told The New York Times, Family Promise volunteer Patricia (pictured far left with Family Promise staff) hasn’t let COVID curtail her community spirit. Click the image to learn more about the power of volunteerism.
Charity Charge podcast
Charity Charge, an enterprise dedicated to helping nonprofits remain fiscally sound, interviewed Family Promise CEO Claas Ehlers about homelessness prevention, volunteerism, and leadership. Click the image to listen to the full podcast.
advisory roles and memberships
-
- Association of Fundraising Professionals
- AFP-NJ Marketing Committee
- Charity Navigator’s Consultative Council of Nonprofit Leaders
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York Community Advisory Group
- Overlook Medical Center’s Community Advisory Board
- Sesame Street in Communities Advisory Board
National Partnerships
Dozens of corporate and nonprofit partners support Family Promise’s work to address the issue of family homelessness. Dedicated partners collaborate and provide valuable insight and resources that enable us to enhance and expand programs and services to best meet the needs of families in crisis.
Corporate PARTNERS
Nonprofit Partners
Our Team
Every member of our team is passionate about solving the crisis of family homelessness and empowering families to achieve lasting independence. From dedicated volunteers to talented staff, we’re there for families in need every step of the way.
Board of Trustees & Staff
Betsy Bernard, Chair
Former President, AT&T
Andrew Pierce, Vice Chair
Partner, Bain & Company
Dr. Victor Aloyo, Jr., Secretary
Associate Dean of Institutional Diversity & Community Engagement, Princeton Theological Seminary
Susan Hardwick, Treasurer
CEO & CFO, American Water Works Company, Inc.
Nadim Ahmed
President/CEO, Cullinan Oncology
Josh Barer
Managing Director/Founder, Hibiscus BioVentures
Kevin Barrett
Managing Partner, FreeFlow Ventures
Sarah Bird
Former Principal & Managing Consultant, Hewitt Associates
Claas Ehlers
CEO, Family Promise
Alex English
Retired Professional Basketball Player & Assistant Coach, National Basketball Association
David Fleck
Founder & Managing Partner, FreeFlow Ventures
Tim Gamory
CEO, Elevate Digital LLC
Leah Griffith
Managing Partner, Watts Consulting
Linda Henry
Partner, Ernst & Young
Robert J. Hugin
Retired Chairman & CEO, Celgene Corporation
Omar Minaya
Former General Manager, New York Mets and Montreal Expos
Team Ambassador, New York Mets
Eileen Serra
Retired Senior Advisor, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Sherina Smith
Chief Marketing Officer, American Family Insurance & Main Street America
Dan Tinkoff
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Co.
Stephen Wallace
Partner, Nixon Peabody
Janet Whitman, President
Jill Benedict
Thomas Berry
Richard J. Boyle
Neely Dodge
Carmine Di Sibio
Cary R. Hardy
Karen Olson
Robert W. Parsons, Jr.
Stacy Slater Sacks
Susan Watts
Donald J. Weida
Janet Williams
Martin Wise
Debbie Almanzar
Administrative Assistant, FPUC
Margaret Bernhard
Affiliate Services Manager
Melissa Biggar
Director of Impact Giving & Communications
Corina Borg
Donor Engagement Manager
Claire Boylan
Rental Assistance Coordinator, FPUC
Cara Bradshaw
Chief Impact Officer
Shari Competiello
Chief of Staff
Krystle Crawford
ERAP Representative, FPUC
Geleen Donovan
Executive Director, FPUC
Allison Eckles
Administrative Assistant
Claas Ehlers
Chief Executive Officer
Carolyn Gordon
Director of Affiliate Expansion
Risé Grady
Case Manager, FPUC
Nakeshia Hedrick
Regional Director-Northeast
Anh Hollowell
Chief Financial Officer
Amy Jones
Manager of Volunteer Engagement, FPUC
Caroline Lamar
Regional Director-South
Amber Lovett
Technical Project Manager
Paula Massa
Development Operations Manager
Sandra Miniutti
Chief Operating Officer
Lindsay Moore
Regional Director-Midwest
Cassidy O’Lear
Brand & Marketing Manager
Gwendolyn Papenfuse
Client Engagement Associate
Emily Parker
Business Analyst
Mitchell Petit-Frere
Director of Brand & Marketing
Stacy Pollard
Regional Director-West
Teressa Ramsey
Regional Director-Gulf
Kacie Ricciotti
Media Relations Specialist
Roberta Samuels
Director of Foundation/Corporate Relations
Monique Sempertegui
Digital Content Creator
Robbin Sims
Day Center Assistant, FPUC
Carmesha Smith
Program Associate
Michael Timmons
Chief Technology Officer
Christine Tolleson
Bookkeeper
Abigail Treff
Education Associate
Amber Young
Director of Volunteer Engagement
FAMILY PROMISE COUNCILS
JOE ADER
Family Promise Spokane
Spokane, WA
KATRINA BOSTICK
Family Promise of the Coastal Empire
Savannah, GA
SUE CROSSLEY
Family Promise MetroWest
Natick, MA
LISA DONNOT
Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley
Billings, MT
MARSHA EICHELBERGER
Family Promise of Montco, PA
Ambler, PA
JENNIFER FAGENBAUM
Family Promise of South Sarasota County
Venice, FL
LISA FOSTER
Family Promise of Davie County
Mocksville, NC
RACHEL HAND
Family Promise North Shore Boston
Beverly, MA
JENNY HULL
Family Promise of Lycoming County
Williamsport, PA
JAYNE MORASKI
Family Promise of Gainesville
Gainesville, FL
JOE NETTESHEIM
Family Promise of Waukesha County
Waukesha, WI
ANDREW NISHIMOTO
Family Promise of the South Bay
Torrance, CA
DANA ORTIZ
Family Promise of Lawrence
Lawrence, KS
TARA PAGLIARINI
Family Promise of Brevard
Rockledge, FL
T.J. PUTMAN
Family Promise of the Mid-Willamette Valley
Salem, OR
JULIE RANDALL
Family Promise of Hendricks County
Plainfield, IN
CHERYL SCHUCH
Family Promise of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI
The Family Promise Guest Advisory Council (GAC) is comprised of graduate guests of Affiliates across the country. The GAC is drawn upon for advocacy efforts, public relations, the development of initiatives, and the formation of policy for Affiliates.
ALEXANDRA BOUDREAU
KENYAL BRASWELL
REBECCA ESPARZA
SYRI GERSTNER
SARAH JACKSON (In Memoriam)
CRYSTAL HAYS
HOPE JOHNSON
KAI MILLER
THERESA PINGER
It is impossible to separate systemic and structural racism from the reality that people of color, and Black people in particular, are disproportionately affected by homelessness and poverty.The Family Promise Racial Justice Council was formed to ensure we address racial equity issues in our work at all levels. The Council is comprised of Family Promise community members from across the country.
NORA ALI
Former Board Vice-Chair
Family Promise of Greater Denver
JEFF ARMSTRONG
Executive Director
Family Promise of the Midlands
BETH BOJARSKI
Manager of Development & Community Engagement
Family Promise of Greater Rochester
MARISSA COMMEY
Manager of Community Engagement
Family Promise of Hawaii
E’TIENNE EASLEY
Director of Development
Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga
CLAAS EHLERS
Chief Executive Officer
Family Promise
CAROLYN GORDON
Director of Affiliate Expansion
Family Promise
LAVEETA HAMILTON
Executive Director
Family Promise of Collin County
TAMMI HART
Board of Directors Member
GAIHN
NAKESHIA HEDRICK
Northeast Regional Director
Family Promise
VERA JOHNSON
Executive Director
Fort Bend Family Promise
ARMILLA MOORE
Executive Director
Family Promise of Pickens County
GWEN PAPENFUSE
Client Engagement Associate
Family Promise
MITCHELL PETIT-FRERE
Creative Content Manager
Family Promise
AMBER YOUNG
Director of Volunteer Engagement
Family Promise
Millennials have surpassed baby boomers as the largest adult generation, and Generation Z is the largest generation overall in the country. Often characterized as social and passionate about values with a need for their voices to be heard, today’s youth are vital to the future of the nonprofit world. Recognizing their potential impact in the battle against family homelessness, Family Promise’s Next Generation Task Force is raising awareness of this crisis within its peer group and beyond and engaging younger audiences with Family Promise.
ZOË BARNSWELL
MAUREEN COOKE
JULIA DOWLING
LISA FOSTER
HANNAH ISENHART
BRETT ROJAS
JOSHUA BARER
DAN TINKOFF
CASSIDY O’LEAR
MITCHELL PETIT-FRERE
AMBER YOUNG
Volunteers
Shelter alone can’t solve the crisis of family homelessness. That’s why Family Promise offers a comprehensive range of services that address the root causes of housing instability. From homelessness prevention programs to emergency shelter to post-program stabilization, we’re there for families every step of the way on their journey to lasting independence. But we couldn’t do it without the support of our volunteers. Tens of thousands of volunteers across the country dedicate their time and talent to help families regain stability and security. Here are some of their stories.
Financials & Program Services
An overview of Family Promise’s 2021 financial and program services reports.
Support and Revenue |
|
|---|---|
| Corporations, Foundations, and Civic Organizations | $2,694,637 |
| Individuals | $1,725,210 |
| Congregations | $92,480 |
| Government | $863,298 |
| Sales and Affiliates | $604,140 |
| Contributed Services | $632,120 |
| Investment and Other Income | $233,468 |
TOTAL |
$6,845,353 |
2021
Financial Report
Expenses |
|
|---|---|
| Program Services | $5,980,185 |
| Management and General | $315,154 |
| Fundraising | $290,496 |
TOTAL |
$6,585,835 |
Non-Cash Reductions |
|
|---|---|
| Depreciation and Amortization | $17,711 |
,
TOTALS |
|
|---|---|
| Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | $297,519 |
| Net Assets – Beginning of Year | $7,152,956 |
| Net Assets – End of Year | $7,450,475 |
Net assets include approximately $2.1MM in a board restricted account reserved for emergency use as recommended by leading charity evaluators.
Unprecedented levels of support in 2020 and 2021 prompted by the COVID pandemic have allowed Family Promise to deliver additional financial support to Affiliates in 2021 to accommodate increased need across the country.
For the ninth consecutive year, Family Promise has been rated a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator, a distinction given to only four percent of rated nonprofits. Family Promise was one of only 71 nonprofits in the U.S. to earn a perfect score of 100 out of 100 points.
2021
Program Services Report
Services Breakdown |
|
|---|---|
| Served in prevention/ diversion programs | 31,034 |
| Children served in prevention/diversion | 17,462 |
| Families served in prevention/diversion | 10,369 |
| Served in emergency shelter | 14,508 |
| Children served in shelter | 8,292 |
| Families served in shelter | 4,629 |
| Served in stabilization programs | 11,366 |
| Served in housing programs | 8,042 |
| Served in community service programs | 57,859 |
| Served through referrals | 64,499 |
TOTAL NUMBER SERVED |
187,308 |
Percentage of Affiliates Offering Various Shelter Models
- Hybrid 6%
- Rotational 23%
- Scatter Sites (hotels, apartments, other) 62%
Prevention / Diversion Programs
Percent of Affiliates with Prevention / Diversion Programs
Volunteer with Family Promise
Thank You
Every life we touch, every story we tell,
is possible because of your generous support.
Contact Us
Charity Navigator
For the ninth consecutive year, Family Promise has been rated a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator, a distinction given to only four percent of rated nonprofits. Family Promise was one of only 71 nonprofits in the U.S. to earn a perfect score of 100 out of 100 points.