Why? Because the most recent national statistics continue to show that real rent relief is no where in sight. This coupled with the fact that wages are stubbornly stuck well below living wage levels even a family working full time will struggle to find a rent that does not consume 50% of their take home pay. To add to the challenge, deposits have increased and landlords are looking more critically at the past rental history of each applicant.  What is a family to do? Fortunately at Family Promise, most of the families are referred to the subsidized housing program Housing Now. It provides rental assistance for up to a year to working families coming out of homeless shelters. It also often helps with deposits and always provides case management. It gives a family some “breathing room,” a chance to integrate back into the community.  They learn once again how to balance the day to day challenges of work, child care and caring for a home.  At Family Promise part of the case plan for “graduates” is to keep looking for a better paying job, although not easily found in this slow economic recovery. Until then it may just be that a family will have to choose to work a second job to help safeguard against a rainy day.

For those families not able to qualify for the rental assistance or transitional housing programs, it is a much tougher process. Thankfully there are rental communities like those managed by Concord Management that are willing to work with families moving out of the Family Promise program.  These are the realities for homeless families struggling to regain their independence. While the economic forecast for some is beginning to look a bit brighter, most of the statistics that affect the families served by Family Promise stay stubbornly stuck in grey.

Family Promise of Greater Orlando

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain independence and self-sufficiency by providing them with homeless service programs that include; safe haven shelter, food, transportation, case management, life skills, employment assistance and to advocate for adequate housing.  Family Promise of Greater Orlando collaborates with 12 host and 8 support congregations to provide homeless families with overnight accommodations, meals and hospitality. If your faith community would like to get involved or would like more information on Family Promise of Greater Orlando contact Mary Alice Fish at 407-893-4588 or email info@familypromiseorlando.org

Through the generosity of The Community Foundation of Central Florida’s grant to Family Promise, the guest families receive extra benefits when they stay in the network’s Winter Park churches.  These benefits include bus passes for our families to get to and from work, enrichment activities such as movie tickets as well as a healthy food options. Because of the monies granted, our families’ lives are enhanced. “We are so grateful to the wonderful people at The Community Foundation of Central Florida,” says Mary Alice Fish, the executive director. “This grant has given our families some extra perks while residing in the Winter Park churches.”

The Community Foundation of Central Florida is a public grantmaking foundation that is home to nearly 400 charitable funds established by philanthropists who care about the impact of their giving as much as the charitable causes they support. Established in 1994 to advance local philanthropy, the Community Foundation fulfills its mission by managing and investing donor funds, connecting people with causes they feel passionate about and empowering donors to make informed decisions through research and evaluation. Today, the Community Foundation has assets of more than $48 million and has made cumulative grants of more than $21 million.

Family Promise of Greater Orlando

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain independence and self-sufficiency by providing them with homeless service programs that include: safe haven shelter, food, transportation, case management, life skills, employment assistance and to advocate for adequate housing.

Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.  According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, over 1.5 million children experience homelessness each year.   In Central Florida, 6,300 children were identified as homeless in the 2008-9 academic year in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties (Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Student Assistance, 2008-2009 Final Survey Homeless Counts).  The current economic crisis promises to increase the number of families forced into homelessness.

###

A mother loses her job, a father is kept from working by an injury, a family is forced from their home by fire or natural disaster.  Health care costs soar, public transportation is underfunded, affordable housing is almost impossible to find.  These are the reasons why families now make up 34 percent of the homeless population, and the number continues to grow faster than any other segment of the homeless population and why one out of every four homeless people is a child.

For the last 10 years in response to this crisis, Family Promise of Greater Orlando has responded to this crisis by bringing the faith community together to help provide temporary housing for homeless families while assisting them to attain safe, affordable housing, secure employment, regain their independence and their dignity.  Family Promise is a partnership of congregations within a community helping families who are facing homelessness.  It offers an opportunity for volunteers of all faiths to reduce homelessness and transform lives.

“Family Promise allows families to stay together as a family unit in our program,” states Mary Alice Fish, Executive Director of Family Promise of Greater Orlando.   “We are committed to assisting homeless families with children by providing emergency overnight shelter, case management and support services.  Our goal is to keep families intact and provide the necessary support to help them secure a job and safe, affordable housing.”

There are currently 162 Family Promise Networks operating in 41 states and the District of Columbia, in large cities, suburbs and rural counties.  In 2010, Family Promise affiliates served more than 47,000 people and involved more than 130,000 volunteers in 5,000 congregations. They mobilize community resources: houses of worship for lodging, congregations for volunteers, social service agencies for assessment and referrals and existing facilities for day programs.  This strategy enables networks to help homeless families achieve lasting independence at a third of the cost of traditional shelters.

Monetary support is always welcome and helps cover the costs of providing essential support services. These services include transportation, operation of the Day Center and case management services.  In addition, we are always looking for new faith communities to join as network partners.  If you would like to donate or get involved, please contact Mary Alice Fish at maryalicefish@familypromiseorlando.org, phone 407.893.4588 or visit our website at www.familypromiseorlando.org.

Receiving this grant enables Family Promise to further strengthen its commitment to curing homelessness. Family Promise’s Executive Director, Mary Alice Fish, describes the grant as “an especially rewarding recognition of the work to which Family Promise is committed to within the community.” Family Promise feels every family deserves a chance to regain financial independence by securing a job and learning important life skills. “With the help of grants from organizations such as the Community Foundation, Family Promise makes a difference in the lives of homeless families in Central Florida,” says Ms. Fish.

The Community Foundation of Central Florida is a public grantmaking foundation that is home to nearly 400 charitable funds established by philanthropists who care about the impact of their giving as much as the charitable causes they support. Established in 1994 to advance local philanthropy, the Community Foundation fulfills its mission by managing and investing donor funds, connecting people with causes they feel passionate about and empowering donors to make informed decisions through research and evaluation. Today, the Community Foundation has assets of more than $48 million and has made cumulative grants of more than $21 million.

Family Promise of Greater Orlando

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando, whose primary program is Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain independence and self-sufficiency by providing them with homeless service programs that include; safe haven shelter, food, transportation, case management, life skills, employment assistance and to advocate for adequate housing.

Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.  According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, over 1.5 million children experience homelessness each year.   In Central Florida, 6,300 children were identified as homeless in the 2008-9 academic year in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties (Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Student Assistance, 2008-2009 Final Survey Homeless Counts).  The current economic crisis promises to increase the number of families forced into homelessness.

###

As one of the major fundraising events for Family Promise, all of the funds raised will go toward helping low-income families achieve lasting financial independence. “This walk is a great community event to engage the people in the Winter Park area,” says Mary Alice Fish, the Executive Director. “Families and friends can come and enjoy a walk through scenic Winter Park, while raising funds for the homeless families in our program.”

Family Promise of Greater Orlando

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando, whose primary program is Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain independence and self-sufficiency. The program is collaborative effort of 17 host and support congregations located in Orange and Seminole Counties that that take weekly turns to provide overnight lodging and meals to homeless families. Families have access to a staffed Day Center where they receive intensive one on one case management, access to support services and employment assistance. Children receive homework supervision and families are provided with an address and phone number while without a permanent home address.

Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. They account for one third of our nation’s homeless, and half of the children are under the age of six. In Central Florida, 6,300 children were identified as homeless in the 2008-9 academic year in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties (Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Student Assistance, 2008-2009 Final Survey Homeless Counts).  According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, over 1.5 million children experience homelessness each year.   The current economic crisis promises to increase the number of families forced into homelessness.

###

Since the inception of Family Promise in 2001, Ms. Fish has been an active participant and knows the program well, “I am thrilled to announce that Mary Alice Fish has accepted the Executive Director position,” says Board President, David Shackelford. “She is a tireless advocate and well respected within our organization. She understands the intricacies of our program and how much of an impact we can make, one family at a time.”

Ms. Fish organized Family Promise’s Annual Share the Love Walk for Families for the past two years raising nearly $28,000 for the program. “I truly believe in Family Promise,” commented Ms. Fish. “The face of homelessness has changed over the past few years because the economy and families are in need more than ever before.”

Family Promise of Greater Orlando

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain self-sufficiency and to advocate for adequate housing and support services in Orange and Seminole counties.

Nationally, Family Promise has established 150 affiliates in 40 states, using the services of more than 130,000 volunteers and 5,000 congregations.  The organization provides shelter, meals, housing and job placement support to more than 45,000 homeless family members annually, 60 percent of them children.

Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.  According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, over 1.5 million children experience homelessness each year.   In Central Florida, 4,726 children were identified as homeless in the 2008-09 academic year in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties (Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Student Assistance, 2008-2009 Final Survey Homeless Counts).  The current economic crisis promises to increase the number of families forced into homelessness.

If you would like more information about FPGO, please visit our website at http://familypromiseorlando.org or contact Mary Alice Fish at maryalicefish@familypromiseorlando.org or 407.893.4580.

###

May 21, 2010 – Family Promise of Greater Orlando (FPGO), is proud to be a 2010 recipient of  $20,000 from Disney Helping Kids Shine Grant which will help to launch an exciting  new children’s enrichment program. Family Promise of Greater Orlando, formerly, Interfaith Hospitality Network is a member of the national organization committed to helping homeless families achieve lasting independence and self sufficiency. Providing services in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties since 2001 Family Promise is committed to improving the lives of children of homeless families.  Historically 60% of the individuals within the families served through the homeless shelter program are children.
The grant allows Family Promise to further strengthen its’ commitment to our children. By compassionately helping these children regain a sense of normalcy through programs centered on character development and constructively using free time.  Family Promise feels every child deserves the opportunity to experience their lives in an environment where they will thrive, learn, have fun and grow to be healthy and well rounded despite their homeless situation.
The programs will consist of cultural enhancement by exposure to the arts, dance, karate and other sports and activities.  Tutoring and mentoring will also be provided to assist those children needing help with their schoolwork.

Family Promise of Greater Orlando

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando, whose primary program is Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain independence and self-sufficiency by providing them with homeless service programs that include; safe haven shelter, food, transportation, case management, life skills, employment assistance and to advocate for adequate housing.
Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.  According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, over 1.5 million children experience homelessness each year.   In Central Florida, 6,300 children were identified as homeless in the 2008-9 academic year in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties (Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Student Assistance, 2008-2009 Final Survey Homeless Counts).  The current economic crisis promises to increase the number of families forced into homelessness.

SUMMIT, NJ (April 26) – Family Promise is holding its 10th National Conference in Orlando, FL from April 30 thru May 2, 2010.  The theme of the Conference is Dare to Dream, representing the hopes and aspirations of families in-need as well as the staff and volunteers who serve them.  Hundreds of leaders from affiliates across the country will convene to share their expertise on fulfilling our mission.

Dr. Christine Pohl, Professor of Church and Society/Christian Ethics and author of Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition, is the keynote speaker.  She will address the role communities play in the support of family.

Singer-songwriter Ken Medema is the Conference’s featured performer, offering his unique blend of improvisation and audience participation.  Dare to Dream will also serve as the official release site of Medema’s new CD, Home Again, his personal celebration of Family Promise.

In addition, Reverend Wintley Phipps, world-renowned gospel singer, motivational speaker and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, will deliver a second keynote address to close the conference.  Rev. Phipps has traveled every continent of the world over the past 25 years, delivering messages of hope, advocacy and equality.

Family Promise is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization mobilizing communities to help homeless and low-income families.  In 2009, they opened 16 new affiliates nationwide, bringing their total to 158 affiliates in 41 states, with 39 more currently in development.  Since their founding in 1988, Family Promise has helped over 300,000 men, women and children move towards sustainable independence.