Family Promise

1. Family Promise Proposal to Potential Host Churches in Northern New Castle County January 2010

2. Homeless Children and Families in Northern New Castle County 1,300 homeless children + 900 adult family members

3. New Information from Community News (May 2009) �Brandywine School District's number of homeless children doubled over last year to 160 kids, said Homeless Liaison P.J. Facciolo.� �Brandywine provides school transportation, clothes, supplies, tutoring and mentoring, she said. Still, the stigma of being a homeless student is stressful.� �Red Clay serves 167 homeless children, up from 110 last year, said Chris Miller, McKinney-Vento, student assistance coordinator. The biggest challenge, she said, is transportation, but the district is committed to keeping them in the school they attended when they had homes.� "Living in transition is a barrier to learning and we want to eliminate that barrier," she said.�

4. Family Promise� Value Economical addition of capacity for homeless children and families by utilizing houses of worship. More volunteers are engaged Volunteers put a name to the face of homelessness. This increases enthusiasm and financial resources.

5. Homeless Family Resources Homeless Planning Council of Delaware �Serving those who serve the homeless� Friendship House, Inc. YWCA Homelife Management + other agencies

6. One in six children in the United States lives in poverty�

8. How do families end up homeless? Emergencies- fire, storm, etc. Loss of job Family medical expenses- lack of medical benefits Unexpected expenses- car, repairs, etc. Changes is living arrangements Loss of spouse through death or abandonment Divorce or separation Disagreement with those who a family may be staying

9. What is Family Promise? Founded in New Jersey in 1988 to address the growing need to provide emergency sheltering, meals, and comprehensive assistance to homeless families. A Network with volunteers at the heart of it Actively involving those in faith communities in the needs of low income families- especially children �This is a ministry that allows volunteers to put names with faces, to share a meal, to listen to a story, to help with homework, to pour a cup of coffee in the morning before a family sets out for the day, and through it all we discover how much we have in common, and we are reminded that even in tough times God is faithful.� --Rev. Renee Hoke, Kingwood Christian Church, Kingwood TX The Program offers a hand up, not a hand out�

10. Facts & Figures about Interfaith Hospitality Networks More than 5000 congregations are involved in Family Promise programs. Over 125,000 volunteers are involved in Network programs. More than 250,000 homeless family members have been helped by IHN programs. 80% of guest families have found permanent housing. In a typical Network, half of the guests are children, most of whom are under six years old.

11. Facts & Figures about Interfaith Hospitality Networks There are 152 Networks and 140 Affiliate locations in 39 states and DC. More than 40,000 family members were provided with shelter and services through the Networks in 2008. As an outgrowth of the Network, over 750 direct service and housing programs have been developed. In 1992, Family Promise received the President�s Annual Points of Light Award for being one of the top twenty volunteer agencies in the country.

12. Basic Components Host Congregations. Eight to thirteen host congregations provide overnight (from 5:30pm to 7am) accommodations and meals to families (up to fourteen people) on a rotating schedule. Volunteers. About 30-50 volunteers are involved during each host week. A primary coordinator, working with one to three assistant coordinators, oversees the Network program within each congregation. Community Agencies. Local agencies assess and refer guests to the Network program and work with the Network director to coordinate needed services for guest families. Day Center. During the day, families receive case management at a central location near housing and employment opportunities. The Day Center is often housed in a Y or downtown congregational facility. Transportation. The Network provides transportation between the host congregations and the day center.

13. Steps to Creating a Network Recruit 12 to 14 host congregations Secure a day center Arrange for transportation Prepare a first year budget Raise required funds Develop the Network�s governing body, the Board of Trustees Form the Network into a nonprofit organization Hire the Network Director � The IHN program empowers volunteers to be directly and personally involved in helping to solve the problem of homelessness and make a difference in someone�s life. The positive action of volunteering changes that frustration and helplessness into joy at seeing what caring can do.� Carol Young, Volunteer, The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, PA

14. What is involved in volunteering with the Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Promise) ? Bringing in a meal and eating with families in the program Spending a few hours playing with children Providing a special skill, like computer training or resume writing Staying overnight at a facility�sleeping in a private room and being available in case of emergency Supporting parents under incredible stress while they get their lives back together Inviting others to join you �We�re all doing so much, so fast, so much of the time�that it gives you the chance to stop and look at what�s important. It really brings it home to you. There are so many things we take for granted�things like home cooked meals or a safe place to sleep. By volunteering at IHN, we get to see first hand what a difference these things make in the lives of others, and we learn to appreciate them all over again.� Mary Lu Barth, Volunteer, Temple Beth Emerth, Ann Arbor IHN

15. Typical Volunteer Schedule for the Host Facility 5:30-8:30pm- Supper and Evening Volunteers 8:30pm- 6:00am- Overnight Volunteers 6:00- 7:00am- Breakfast Volunteers This schedule shares the work and allows adults, teenagers, and even children, to find their niche as volunteers. During the host week, a congregation might require 30 to 50 volunteers. �Virtually all who work with IHN are volunteers who take time out of their own personal lives to help people. They do their best to make us comfortable, warm and well fed. The day center allows us to get the kind of assistance doctor appointment and meet personal needs. I don�t know what my family and I would have done if it hadn�t been for IHN.� Raleigh, Guest, Minneapolis, MN

16. What facilities do host congregations need to have for guests? Facilities must include a lounge area (with sofas, chairs, tables, TV, for example), a dining area, warming kitchen, bathrooms, and sleeping accommodations. Ideally, congregations provide a separate room, such as a classroom, for each family. If that isn�t possible, a fellowship hall or other large room can be divided by partitions to provide privacy. Each host congregation�s hosting configuration is different; our participating congregations have found a variety of creative ways to accommodate guests during their host weeks. The most important thing is a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a flexible attitude. Facilities do NOT need showers and the like. Families take showers at the Family Promise Center.

17. Supplies Needed The Network provides much of the essential equipment: Folding cots, blankets, mattress covers, pillows, van transport The Host congregation provides some items: Sheets, towels, wash cloths, food, dinnerware, lunch/sandwich bags, first aid kit, toys, books, games, soap, and diapers Friends or members of the congregation donate specialized equipment such as: Cribs, playpens, high chairs, etc.

18. Northern Delaware Initiative First meeting held at Aldersgate UMC in November 2007 Incorporated in 2008 as a non-profit Target launch is in 1Q 2010. Regional director/support structure to be in place by launch Firm commitments so far from: Grace Lutheran St. John the Beloved (support congregation) St. Phillips Lutheran Hockessin Baptist Limestone Presbyterian St. James Mill Creek Episcopal (will be location of Family Promise Center) Hockessin United Methodist Aldersgate United Methodist Westminster Presbyterian St. Marks United Methodist Trinity Church (support congregation) St. Stephen�s Lutheran (support congregation) White Clay Creek Presbyterian The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd For more information, go to www.familypromisede.org

19. For more information, visit www.familypromisede.org

20. Questions, Ideas and Concerns?

21. BACKUP SLIDES

22. Program Advantages Enables Homeless Families to Regain their Independence The active involvement of volunteers in the Network not only provides emergency services such as shelter and meals, but also offers supportive services ranging from assistance in finding housing and jobs to ongoing support once a family has secured housing. This personal commitment has contributed to one of Family Promise�s most rewarding statistics: Overall, more than 80% of the guests in the Network do find long-term housing.

23. More advantages Fosters Other Community InitiativesCongregations and individuals in the program are often motivated to develop additional programs including transitional housing and affordable housing, parenting and children�s programs, employment or budget counseling. Keeps Families TogetherBy mobilizing existing community resources, Network programs house family members together while they overcome homelessness. Provides Services Cost-EffectivelyThe involvement of thousands of volunteers and the use of existing community resources enable Networks to provide services at a fraction of the average national cost. On average the Networks spend $14.00 per person per day to provide shelter, meals and comprehensive support services. �IHN saved my life. Without it, I don�t know what my children and I would have done. Everyone makes you feel welcome, while still respecting your privacy. It�s just wonderful having a place you can call �home�.� Carlas, Guest, Durham, NC

24. Alternative Role for Churches Host churches are most needed, however� If you have a passion to be involved but your church does not have the facilities to host, your church can partner with one or more host churches in the network to help during the host week.

28. FYI: Baptist Convention response on Family Promise Ellen Udovich, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware ��there isn't a "Southern Baptist" national program that addresses homelessness. The ministry is done on a local level, usually with a number of churches working together. Each group works out for themselves what would work best in their situation. Because of the scale of ministry, it is also not unusual for churches of several denominations to join together to share the work, expense, and administrative matters.� Dr. Tobey Pitman National Missionary, NAMB Homelessness, Substance Abuse, Ministry Discovery and Development �Family Promise partners with any church of any denomination, Christian or non-Christian. Baptist partner churches make up a statistical 7-8% of hosting churches.� �The collaborative, eccumenical aspect is one which most of our churches would struggle. I would encourage an in depth look at the theology of hospitality for some answers. Additionally, you may think about it from the perspective of crisis pregnancy clinics. The issue is important enough that Baptists have developed working relationships with Catholics, Pentecostals, etc. We disagree on major points of theology but cooperate around the issue of life.� �Family Promise is not only legitimate, but wholistic and thorough�