Family Promise of Central Connecticut opens as our first Affiliate in the Nutmeg State and brought their first family into the program on February 12th. Their Executive Director is Don Carlson, who has spent over 20 years working in the Church World as a lay professional, primarily as a children and youth minister.
In addressing the local needs their Affiliate will address, Don said, “There are shelters in our community but no program like Family Promise serving families with children. It is an education and new way of life for the community to understand that we are providing a comprehensive program of services, not just a shelter. We are a young Affiliate here in New Britain, but Family Promise’s rich history and experience will help us open doors, serve our guests, and bring tremendous value to the community.”
Next month they are having a ribbon-cutting at their amazing Day Center, which will be followed by a wine and cheese event for their major donors.
Family Promise of Juneau opened for services on Sunday, April 30th. Michelle Strickler serves as Executive Director, and Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey serves as their Board Chair.
Tari was an integral part of the team that developed FP of Juneau, and has worked diligently to offer congregations the opportunity to serve in the Family Promise program. As Tari puts it, “Family Promise is an effective model for using underutilized resources in a safe way to walk with families who are experiencing homelessness. It’s time to be bold and walk
with those who are most vulnerable among us.”
Opening training for the Affiliate took place April 17-19. In two short weeks they have gone from training to opening, and are excited to see their vision of service become reality. Space for their Day Center has been donated by Chapel by the Lake, which overlooks Auke Lake. If it’s not the best view from an Affiliate’s front door, it’s certainly on the short list!
Family Promise of Ogden becomes our second Affiliate in Utah. FP of Ogden has a unique Day Center, the vintage former Fire Station #3. City officials were receptive from the very beginning in considering the abandoned firehouse as the Affiliate’s future Day Center. It was a long process to get all necessary approvals, but their efforts paid off, as the city council unanimously agreed to offer a no-cost lease. FP of Ogden held an open house and ribbon-cutting on Friday, April 28.
Raquel Da Silva serves as the Executive Director, and Nancy Davis serves as the Board Chair. Raquel brings to Family Promise a wealth of experience. She was formerly the Assistant Director of Counseling Services in Ogden and prior to that she worked at the local domestic violence shelter in a managerial position. Nancy and her husband, Dave Broderick, are founding members of the Affiliate.
Family Promise of Ogden is now ready to start serving families. Raquel has been actively interviewing families and they expect their first guests any day now.
