Family Promise of Lorain County is an incredible organization. It is really a testament to the ability of a motivated group of people to make a real difference. It works differently than many homelessness organizations by focusing very specifically and making a real difference in people's lives, which means that they really are life changing for the people they work with. They really give hope to Lorain County.
Family Promise of Lorain County is an organization that works tirelessly to meet the needs of homeless families in our community. The staff and volunteers are professional, compassionate and willing to go the extra mile to help those in need.
Before moving to NC a little over a year ago, I volunteered at Family Promise of Lorain County for 2 years assisting with PR and fund raising. While I never worked directly with the guests, I did have the pleasure to meet a few and it truly changed my way of thinking. In these stressful economic times where the need for assistance is increasing and the available funds are decreasing, I was impressed with how much Family Promise could do with what they had. The donations that are given and the funds that are raised are used directly to benefit the families in need on so many levels. The staff, members of the board and all the volunteers both at the local host churches and from the community are extremely dedicated to the families that they serve. I will always be grateful for the time I was able to spend helping Family Promise and happy to say that I continue to assist them any way I can, even from 700 miles away.
Family Promise is taking concrete steps to help people in unfortunate circumstances get back on their feet. I appreciate and respect the people who selflessly give their time and effort for this cause, and I support them through my donations. Since this is a small local organization, I can expect my donations to be appreciated and directly used.
I believe in the mission statement of Lorain Family Promise. I have seen first hand the dedication of its volunteers and board members. The need is so great for this organization it is a pleasure to donate and know my donations go directly to people for their immediate needs.
Serving as a Board member and volunteer, I see the good that this organization does for the families it serves but also for the volunteers at the host and support churches.
As a Board member I am absolutely dedicated to helping homeless families in any way that I can because i deeply believe that people need each other. As a volunteer also, I have seen up close how parents and children can be hit hard by situations beyond their control. Family Promise helps in a small but significant way to show people under economic stress that others care about them very much. The organization encourages families to stick together, that jobs and homes are in their future. And individual volunteers welcome them with food and warm beds to show the human affection so often needed. Family Promise of Lorain County helps in a unique way toward these goals.
Our church is a host church that provides meals and housing for some wonderful families that are experiencing a blip in their lives and need a short term break. This program gives church members the opportunity serve the community and live their faith. It gives the church the chance to utilize their facility to provide housing in a safe and loving environment for families, especially the children. Stressful days and times often take a backseat to the love and caring by church volunteers as they give generously of their time in coming in and assisting wherever the families as best they can. We also get the opportunity to interface with other churches and denominations which otherwis would not happen.
My daughter and I entered Family Promise because we were struggling with money and a safe place to go. My mom referred me to this program and I am thankful for their help. Their helping me with trying to get my own place, Their very nice and I am fortunate to be in this program because without them I wouldn't know where i'd be right now and if my daughter would be safe. I would recommend this program to any family in need of help.
Our church hosts the families assisted by Family Promise several times a year. I also assist with the annual fundraiser concert held at our church each year and am on the Publicity Committee. As you can see I fully support Family Promise with my time and through our donations. Through the years I have met several families who have fallen on hard times and have had to come to the day center requesting assistance. They are a joy to visit with. Through Family Promise they are given food and shelter through the county churches, and given guidance in seeking employment, education, housing, learning to work out a budget and any social service that they may need to be referred. The children are taken care of by being sent to their home schools. The people involved with this organization truly believe in their commitment to help families realize their own potential.
My church hosts Family Promise families four weeks a year and as a volunteer, I have been witness to many strong people working very hard to provide for their families. Our whole congregation rejoices with families as they get jobs, housing, etc. We feel a part of their lives, as we mourn their losses and cheer their successes. Our parish has learned that these are just regular people and that any one of us could have the same challenges. This is a new attitude for many of our members. We have grown immensely in the Spirit because of our involvement in Family Promise.
Before me and my family came to Family Promise, we were living in our van during the day and driving an hour to sleep at a family members house at night. I had hit rock bottom. My self esteem was next to nothing but I knew I had to do something for my kids. When entering the program I was given the needed resources to apply for housing. On top of providing us a safe place to live they gave us the essential hygiene products, diapers and food. Family Promise gave us not only a safe place to stay but also gave us hope and comfort. We now have a house to call our own again. I am currently back in college working on a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. My kids are extremely happy and very greatful to Family Promise for helping us get back on our feet.
I am so proud to be not only a board member of Family Promise of Lorain County but the President. It has been a good experience for me personally since I have gone outside the box to reach out to those I thought I knew but now realize I knew little about. The face of the homeless are changing. We have families who lost their jobs, lost their homes, and have nowhere to go. The faces in our shelter our those of children. The average age of a child in our care in 2010 was just 5 years of age. Currently we have two moms-to-be ready to give birth any day. Although we are not a religious organization, our Interfaith Hospitality Network is one of our programs with over 700 volunteers throughout Lorain County that provide food, shelter, and hospitality. Family Promise also provides intensive case management services which I believe is the key that makes us different. We help our parents with life skills. We help them develop a plan and stick to it, so when they move back into a home they can sustain it. This program helps lift up families that need a helping hand. I'm very proud of our board, our staff, our volunteers, and our guests. Together we are families helping families in need.
When I entered unto family Promise I was very stressed out and worried about the welfare and safety of my children and I, We were homeless for some time before i came into the family promise program, Since that day the stress and worry has been lifted and the staff helped me to figure out where to go and what the next steps I should take to get back on my feet. The program Helped get us into a routine and taught us to be stable. I was in the program for 9 weeks, and Now I have a new place to call home and I thank the family promise program and staff for all the help and for giving me hope to keep working towards my goals for a better life..