Progressive’s Funding and Volunteer Efforts Help Families Secure Safe, Stable Housing – Starting with a New Home in Akron, Ohio
AKRON, Ohio, July 29, 2025 — Family Promise, a leading national nonprofit addressing family homelessness, is collaborating with Progressive Insurance® through their Open House initiative to support families facing a housing crisis. Through this collaboration, Progressive provided $2 million to fund two critical programs: Housing and Stabilization, designed to provide sustainable housing solutions and long-term stability for hundreds of families across the country.
“We’re deeply grateful for Progressive’s support and belief in our mission,” said Cheryl Schuch, Family Promise CEO. “This collaboration will help families across the country move into safe, stable homes and access the resources they need to stay housed. Together, we’re creating life-changing opportunities for families to thrive.”
Through the Housing Program, Family Promise will help 28 families achieve homeownership over a three year period by deploying resources to three sites: Family Promise of West Michigan in Grand Rapids; Family Promise of Summit County in Akron, Ohio; and Family Promise of the Triangle in Raleigh, North Carolina.
This important work increases housing stability by acquiring and refurbishing homes with volunteer support, then preparing families for homeownership with personalized guidance. With Progressive’s support, Family Promise of Summit County purchased a new home for a local Akron family. To mark this momentous journey for the family, Family Promise will host a ribbon-cutting event with Progressive on Tuesday, July 29.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate a move-in day made possible by Progressive’s generous support,” said Jeffrey E. Wilhite, Executive Director of Family Promise of Summit County. “Across the country and here in our own community, the leading driver of family homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. By making homeownership possible, we set families on the path to generational wealth and that is game changing!”
In addition to financial support, Progressive employees are also volunteering in various ways.. Their recent efforts to support the Summit County home included home beautification activities and providing essentials to help the family settle into their home.
“At Progressive, we believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home,” said Wanda Shippy, Community Involvement Manager at Progressive Insurance. “By funding critical programs through Family Promise and engaging our employees through volunteerism, we’re proud to help families achieve long-term stability. Together we are creating meaningful and lasting change in communities across the country.”
The Stabilization Program will serve approximately 500 families across 20 Family Promise sites over one year. These services are delivered before, during, or after a housing crisis and include income and housing support, access to child and educational services, and healthcare navigation. The goal is to help families stay housed and build long-term independence.
“At Family Promise, we see more than just immediate needs — we see potential,” said Schuch. “Together with Progressive, we’re ensuring families remain securely and sustainably housed for generations to come.”
To learn more, visit familypromise.org and progressive.com/openthehouse.
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ABOUT FAMILY PROMISE
Founded in Summit, New Jersey, Family Promise is the leading national nonprofit addressing the crisis of family homelessness. The organization, comprised of approximately 200 Affiliates, tackles the range of issues that can lead to homelessness. From prevention services to emergency shelter to post-program stabilization, Family Promise ensures families develop vital skills, have access to critical resources, and receive ongoing support to achieve lasting independence. The organization has served more than one million family members since its founding over 35 years ago. To learn more about Family Promise, visit familypromise.org.
ABOUT FAMILY PROMISE OF SUMMIT COUNTY
Family Promise of Summit County has been dedicated to helping families facing homelessness remain together and achieve lasting independence since 2004. Our approach combines trauma-informed case management, financial literacy education, and mentoring services to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness. We are proud to be an affiliate of Family Promise, the leading national nonprofit addressing family homelessness. Learn more at www.FamilyPromiseSC.org.
ABOUT PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE
Progressive Insurance® makes it easy to understand, buy and use car insurance, home insurance, and other protection needs. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach us however it’s most convenient for them — online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, via the Progressive mobile app, or in-person with a local agent.
Progressive provides insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes; it is the second largest auto insurer in the country, a leading seller of commercial auto, motorcycle, and boat insurance, and one of the top 15 homeowners insurance carriers.
Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, Snapshot®, and HomeQuote Explorer®.
