New Affiliates in California and Washington

We proudly welcome Family Promise of the South Bay, California and Family Promise of Skagit Valley, Washington, bringing our total of Affiliates nationwide to 192.

South Bay ribbon cutting.

Family Promise of South Bay becomes the 5^th Affiliate in the LA area, and 7^th in the Golden State.  The South Bay encompasses several cities within Los Angeles County but south of the city.  Los Angeles has seen one of the sharpest increases in family homelessness in the country and the South Bay is not immune to that crisis.

Family Promise of Skagit Valley, the fertile region north of Seattle between the Cascades and the San Juan Islands, is the 4^th Affiliate in the state of Washington.  The Valley, which runs along the Skagit River in northwestern Washington, has more than 1,000 children experiencing homelessness over the course of the year.

Efforts in the South Bay began when Chery Carew, a leader in a Disciples of Christ women’s group learned about the program from people involved in our Verdugos (Burbank area) Affiliate.  That led to a community meeting at First Christian Church in Torrance with Tom Cioffi presenting.  Subsequent visits from Tom and Karen Olson, and help from neighboring Orange County, moved them steadily toward opening.  They have 12 host congregations and their Day Center is at First Christian Church.  They have raised nearly their entire first year budget and hired an experienced Director, Nick Rasmussen.

Family Promise of Skagit Valley began when Laurin Vance,  a pastor who had relocated from Indianapolis, wondered if the Family Promise program could start in his new community.  Visits from Pat Bradbury, Tom Cioffi and Donna Lawson included a community meeting at Burlington Lutheran Church.  The Affiliate opens its doors with 12 hosts, a healthy amount of funding in reserve and Tony Latham as its Director.  The Day Center is a work in progress but should be finalized soon; they are at Bethlehem Lutheran for now with help from a nearby middle school for showers; Thrivent Financial has contributed money to build showers in their new home.