What We Do
Family Promise helps homeless and “at-risk” families in Central Florida get back on their feet. We guide, motivate and inspire families to life beyond the crisis of homelessness. Embracing a “housing first” approach, we help families gain access to housing as quickly as possible with no readiness conditions. Through intensive case management services we help homeless families reach their goals for housing and economic stability.
Because of loyal donors and supporters, we are able to help over 100 homeless families each year find their way back home.
What We Provide
Family Promise helps families overcome the crisis of homelessness with:
SHELTER
We meet the emergency need for shelter and meals.
HOUSING
We provide access to permanent housing.
CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
We guide, motivate and inspire family members to greater self-determination and self-sufficiency.
Our case management services are the glue that holds everything together. Every family that enters one of our programs is assigned to a professional case manager. Many of the children and adults seeking services come to us with histories of trauma and chronic stress which have deep and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities. Family Promise case managers consider the mental health consequences of trauma and how they compromise an individual’s functioning, potentially making it harder for them to parent effectively and to meet program expectations. With this in mind, our case managers try to change the question from “What is wrong with you?” instead we ask “What happened to you?” Focusing on the client’s strengths, the case manager helps each family create their own housing stability plan, which includes finding viable employment, day care or school for the children as well as appropriate housing and the key support services necessary to keep the family stably housed.
Because of loyal donors and supporters, we are able to help over 100 homeless families each year find their way back home.
What We Provide
Family Promise helps families overcome the crisis of homelessness with:
SHELTER – We meet the emergency need for shelter and meals.
HOUSING – We provide access to permanent housing.
CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES – We guide, motivate and inspire family members to greater self-determination and self-sufficiency.
Our case management services are the glue that holds everything together. Every family that enters one of our programs is assigned to a professional case manager. Many of the children and adults seeking services come to us with histories of trauma and chronic stress which have deep and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities. Family Promise case managers consider the mental health consequences of trauma and how they compromise an individual’s functioning, potentially making it harder for them to parent effectively and to meet program expectations. With this in mind, our case managers try to change the question from “What is wrong with you?” instead we ask “What happened to you?” Focusing on the client’s strengths, the case manager helps each family create their own housing stability plan, which includes finding viable employment, day care or school for the children as well as appropriate housing and the key support services necessary to keep the family stably housed.
Additional Services & Assistance
All guests accepted into the program are eligible to receive:
Toiletry Items & Diapers
Furniture & Household Items
Day Care Assistance
Credit Counseling
Gas Assistance
Phone & Internet Access
Employment Searches
Toiletry Items & Diapers
Clothing
Parenting & Nutrition Classes
Assistance with Housing Searches
Job Training
Budget Management
Medical & Dental Care
Programs
Programs at Family Promise are guided by our core values:
DIGNITY
Every family has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
COMMUNITY
It is critical to work in partnership with the community and provide opportunities for individuals to serve and be part of the solution for ending homelessness.
SUSTAINABILITY
To effectively move families out of homelessness we must meet families where they are and surround them with a community of support.
FUTURE
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a stable home environment.
Rapid Rehousing Program
Family Promise is a collaborative partner in a community-wide rapid rehousing program designed to move families from homelessness to stable housing as rapidly as possible and without preconditions: 30 days is our goal. Using rapid rehousing assistance funds, our case managers help each family settle into appropriate housing, increase their household income and connect to community services that will help them maintain their housing stability. Each year, we help 75 or more families move into permanent homes with rapid rehousing assistance.
Interfaith Hospitality Network Shelter Program
The Family Promise approach to shelter is unique. It is a volunteer-driven, community-based program that provides shelter and compassionate support for homeless families utilizing facilities and volunteers of our faith-based partners throughout Orange and Seminole counties. Each week, one of our faith-based partners opens their doors and converts classrooms or meeting rooms into bedrooms where four homeless families stay intact as a family on their grounds. Over 50 volunteers work throughout the week to provide meals, activities for children and gracious hospitality.
Keeping the Promise
Unfortunately, many families disengage from case management services once they are housed and returns to homelessness happen far too often. This approach will create a shift in mindset for the staff and the clients who will become a team working toward a mutually established goal. The case manager will become a ‘coach’ in the relationship and by walking alongside the client for a longer period of time dramatically increasing their chances of long-term success. The team will celebrate all goal achievements and rewards will be given for the accomplishments. The ultimate goal is for participants to maintain their housing stability for at least two years following their exit from homelessness to permanent housing.
Programs
Programs at Family Promise are guided by our core values:
DIGNITY: Every family has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
COMMUNITY: It is critical to work in partnership with the community and provide opportunities for individuals to serve and be part of the solution for ending homelessness.
SUSTAINIBILITY: To effectively move families out of homelessness we must meet families where they are and surround them with a community of support.
FUTURE: Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a stable home environment.
Rapid Rehousing Program
Family Promise is a collaborative partner in a community wide rapid rehousing program is designed to move families from homelessness to stable housing as rapidly as possible and without preconditions. 30 days is our goal. Using rapid rehousing assistance funds, our case managers help each family settle into appropriate housing, increase their household income and connect to community services that will help them maintain their housing stability. Each year, we help 75 or more families move into permanent homes with rapid rehousing assistance.
Interfaith Hospitality Network Shelter Program
The Family Promise approach to shelter is unique. It is a volunteer-driven, community-based program that provides shelter and compassionate support for homeless families utilizing facilities and volunteers of our faith-based partners throughout Orange and Seminole counties. Each week, one of our faith-based partners opens their doors and converts classrooms or meeting rooms into bedrooms where four homeless families stay intact as a family on their grounds. Over 50 volunteers work throughout the week to provide meals, activities for children and gracious hospitality.
Seeds of Change
Many of the parents, particularly single moms, in our programs have long histories of poverty, abuse and trauma which diminish their self-esteem and cause physical, mental and social health problems. For many, the expectation of self-sufficiency seems like an unattainable goal. Seeds of Change provides tools and exercises to help parents develop a more positive internal message.
We facilitate a safe place for families to explore, get to know and invent the lives they desire, by their own design. Through professional guidance, program participants explore life at present, in the past and begin to envision what the future can look like with a plan in place. Participants are encouraged to look at their influences, childhood experiences and beliefs. They begin to learn the power of choice.