Bringing a newborn home for the first time is a momentous occasion for all moms. But imagine giving birth and being released from the hospital with a baby but no home to return to. That’s the situation countless parents find themselves in every year. And it’s a scenario that inspired …
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In the tale of “Cinderella,” a prince goes looking for the girl whose foot perfectly fits the shoe. For 17-year-old Jeremy* at Family Promise of Beaverton, OR, it was all about finding the perfect shoe to fit his foot.  When Jeremy and his family came to Family Promise, he had …
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It goes without saying that homelessness is a stressful situation. Family Promise’s emphasis on trauma-informed care ensures all aspects of the crisis are considered when working with families in need. But families also learn to manage this stress in their own ways. For one dad, that involved writing a book.  …
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I am a wife, and mother of 4. I never finished my college degree and stayed at home with my kids full-time for 15 years. I went back into the workforce and found myself (and a new passion) at Family Promise of Skagit Valley (FPSV). Continuing my education has always …
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Oscar knew hard times as a youth in Mexico. When he moved to the U.S. in 1994, he had dreams of a better future. He settled down in Salt Lake City, UT, where his sister lived, worked hard, and eventually started a family. Now grandparents, Oscar and his wife Elisa …
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Last spring, when most people were worrying about the health pandemic and COVID vaccines, Karlene and her family had bigger concerns: where to sleep. Their car was their home for a brief time when they lost their housing and witnessing the chaos the pandemic had caused in the world, the …
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When Kylie says, “Life doesn’t stop for anybody,” the Cedar Rapids, IA, mom know knows what she’s talking about. This year, her three-year-old son, Cooper, underwent a kidney transplant, and finances have been tight as her partner, David, experienced an employment rollercoaster caused by the health pandemic. “We hit a …
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Ilisapeti had never learned to budget. When she, her husband, Hen, and their three children moved to Las Vegas, the casinos seemed more like a fun pastime than the treacherous path they became. “I loved the slots!” Ilisapeti recalls. “I enjoyed spending. I used up all our money without thinking …
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Like all parents, Amberlee wanted to keep her family safe when COVID hit. But when she unexpectedly faced unemployment and homelessness, “security” took on new meaning. Amberlee and her children were surprised to learn their apartment building was scheduled for demolition. Around the same time, Amberlee was in an auto …
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High school senior Anabel felt the impact of COVID more than most students. Medical care for her ill father induced Anabel’s family to move to Vancouver, WA, where they quickly discovered the city’s lack of affordable housing. While the family struggled with homelessness, schools went remote, so Anabel started her …
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Every other month, a group of retired teachers in Union County, NJ, meets for lunch. They may spend time reminiscing about their school days, but lately the conversation tends to be about homelessness. That’s because Patricia Novy, a former art teacher is leading the group in efforts to support families …
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Dana and her children have known homelessness in many shapes. When they found themselves homeless in the midst of a global health pandemic, the family slept in parks, in friends’ backyards, even in abandoned houses. At one point, they lived in a hotel far from Dana’s job that required an …
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