It was an evening of celebration and giving at the Maplewood Country Club last Thursday night.
Nearly 150 guests gathered for Family Promise’s “Welcome Home” gala to raise funds in support of area families experiencing homelessness. In addition, several community members were honored for their commitment to helping Family Promise Union County provide housing to local families.
Six local landlords were presented with a “Compassionate Housing Award” for their partnership with Family Promise Union County providing temporary shelter apartments. These landlord partnerships have facilitated housing for Union County families at a time when affordable housing is in short supply. These landlords include Paul Lopes, Sam Etienne, Thomas Petit, Stanley Neron, Stephanie and Tony Culpepper, and Ivo Santos.
Father Daniel Gunn and St. Andrews Episcopal Church in New Providence also received an award for a commitment to creating low-income housing by repurposing a building on the church grounds into two low-income apartments for Family Promise Union County families.
“We were proud to present Compassionate Housing Awards to our landlord partners,” Family Promise Union County Executive Director Geleen Donovan said. “All of our progress would not be possible without the dedication and compassion of our community.”
The event raised more than $100,000 for Family Promise Union County. Those funds will allow Donovan and her team to continue providing homelessness prevention services to families in Union County.
“When we prevent families from experiencing homelessness, we help them avoid unnecessary stress and trauma,” Donovan said.
The event was sponsored by 20 Gates, Faith Lutheran Church, Betsy Bernard and Laurie Peter, PwC, Edward Jones, and Seelaus Asset Management. Live music was provided by Fishmarket Stew.
“We appreciate opportunities to engage local businesses for a good cause,” said Family Promise Major Donor Manager Corina Borg, who planned the event. “Family Promise is rooted in local communities, and partnerships like this solidify those relationships.”
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About Family Promise
Founded in Summit, New Jersey, in 1988, 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 and housing 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 individuals since its founding. For more information, visit familypromise.org.
