Networks in the United State have begun operations with anywhere from 8-13 host congregations who provide shelter and hospitality on a rotating basis. Family Promise of Manatee County is looking to begin operations when 10 congregations have agreed to serve as hosts.
At any one time Family Promise may be providing shelter and hospitality up to 4 families and no more than 14 individuals. The program only serves families units which can include a mother, father and children or a single mother and her children or a single father and his children.
A van provided by the network and a volunteer van driver transport families from the congregations to the day center each day.
Facilities must include dining area, kitchen, bathrooms, sleeping accommodations and a lounge area. Ideally, congregations provide separate rooms for each family. If that isn’t possible, a fellowship hall or other large room can be divided by partitions to provide privacy. A couple of our congregations use tents to provide privacy in their fellowship hall.
Houses of worship are very busy places with many demands on their space. Rarely, does a perfect space exist. Hosting almost always means some scheduling adjustments for activities and meetings. For example, four or five times a year a Bible Study or community meeting may need to move their week day meeting to another room.
Congregations provide shelter and meals. In addition, congregations are asked to provide a central space in which families can watch TV, movies or fellowship. While parents relax and catch up with each other in the evenings, volunteers can spend time playing with the children. Depending on the ages of the children, special activities like arts and crafts are great ways for them to express their creativity. Congregations may want to invite guests to participate in congregational activities that go on during the week such as youth group, fellowship dinners.
The guest guidelines call for a maximum stay of 30-60 days. Network directors can make a decision to allow a family to stay longer as long as they are making a good faith effort to find housing and/or employment. In Manatee County, where there is a shortage of affordable housing and employment, finding a home and a job can take longer than 60 days.
Referring agencies include shelters, public assistance offices, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Community Coalition on Homelessness, and Manatee Religious Services. At the Day Center, the Case Manager conducts an in-depth interview before accepting the family into the Network
Moving every week isn’t ideal, but most families say that the homelike setting and the support of volunteers makes their stay a comfortable one. The Day Center help provides continuity and a home base for families as they look for homes and jobs. The Day Center also provides a permanent address that families can use in their housing and job search.
No, the Network Director works with the school system and Project Heart to ensure that the children are able to attend school. They Day Center is the permanent address of the Network. Children go the school they have been attending or to the school nearest the Day Center.
Family Promise is a not for profit with a 501(c)3 designation. Funds are raised locally from individuals, congregations, foundations and corporations. If you are interested in donating, please go to our donation page to see how easy it is to share in this ministry.
Local Networks incorporate as independent, nonprofit organizations and become affiliates of Family Promise. The national organization helps start new Networks working with a core organizing group and providing training to the Network Director, all coordinators, and the first volunteers. Once the organization becomes operational, Family Promise provides ongoing technical assistance, materials, training and educational support.
