Family Promise Of Greater Roanoke Inc

Programs: We provided shelter to 99 individuals in 2017, 85% moved into permanent housing. Shelter assistance-the overall goal and purpose of family promise is to provide children and their families with safety,shelter, food, basic needs and assistance as they seek permanent housing. Family promise of greater roanoke is unique in that it does not split up families during their crisis and is the only emergency shelter in the valley that serves only families. The program calls on a network of 28 faith communities and over 1000 volunteers. Four to five times a year, for a week at a time, each host congregation provides a place to sleep, meals, and hospitality for up to 4 families at a time. Each family has their own room within the congregational facility. Families are at the host congregation from 6pm to 7am daily. The host congregation and support congregation provide volunteers who cook, serve meals, socialize with the guests, assist the parents with the children, and stay overnight. Families are provided transportation to and from the host congregation to the family center daily. The family center, in salem, has showers, a kitchen, laundry facilities, computers, and a small area for each family to keep their belongings. Here,the family can work one-on-one with our program manager to look for employment, housing, child care, and address other problems that stand in the way of permanent housing. This is their home base and serves as their mailing address during their stay. Mentoring assistance - we know that all families face challenges, and for families who have experienced homelessness, it can be crucial to continue getting the support that helped them while in the program. The tremendous support families receive while they are in the program is why family promise is so successful. Continuing those relationships after they graduate is important for families'long term sustainable independence. Family mentoring is one way to accomplish that. The family mentoring program is a comprehensive approach that matches trained volunteers with graduated or at risk families for a sustained and productive mentoring relationship. Mentors work with families to help them address day to day issuses like budgeting, parenting and more in a supportive, peer relationship.