Family Promise of the Coastal Empire

Family Promise of the Coastal Empire and its host and support congregations will harness the resources of 300 to 500 volunteers. Each participating church or synagogue will serve as a host for four homeless families for a one–week period, four to five times each year. The host congregation provides meals and overnight sleeping accommodations for approximately 50-70 family members annually. Guest families that are unemployed or not in school spend the day at the DayCenter, where they receive case management, care for children and look for jobs and housing. A mini-bus owned by FP of Effingham will transport guests to the Day Center each morning and back to the host congregation in the evening.

Volunteers are the heart of the program.  They can share their time and talents in many ways, usually just for a few hours every month.

• Cooking and serving meals
• Playing with children and helping them with homework
• Staying overnight with guest families
• Providing specialized services, like resume writing or financial counseling
• Providing administrative assistance at the Day Center
• Just being there for children and their families, showing them compassion and respect, and sharing a sense of community

Trained volunteers are at the core of Family Promise. They operate the program at their congregations and provide personal support for homeless families, who are considered guests of the Network. Volunteers set up beds, cook meals, do laundry, and perform many other tasks. Volunteers work in shifts, and stay overnight at the congregation’s facility. By sharing meals and conversation, and by interacting with and listening to parents and children, the volunteers come to know the human face of homelessness and learn about its root causes. Volunteers not only work in their congregation’s facility but also assist the Network Director in helping guests find housing, jobs and job training opportunities.

Since 1986, Family Promise has been providing shelter to homeless families throughout the United States. This national organization is currently in 41 states with 183 operating affiliates. Two years ago, a group of Effingham County residents joined together to develop a local affiliate. On June 26th, 2014, Family Promise opened it's doors to homeless children and families in Effingham County.

Our mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence.

Currently in the Coastal Empire, there are approximately 235 homeless children from 65 homeless families. These families have very little resources available to them. Family Promise of the Coastal Empire will be able to provide shelter, food, and assistance to these families in need. Family Promise of the Coastal Empire will run an Interfaith Hospitality Network (Network).  The IHN is a collaborative effort: houses of worship provide rooms for overnight shelter; social service agencies refer homeless families; the day center provides access to comprehensive case management; and the local communities supply the volunteers. 

Family Promise of the Coastal Empire is part of a proven and successful nationwide program that, for nearly 25 years, has effectively addressed the crisis of family homelessness in communities across the country.