Our committees and councils work with staff to provide an expansion of opportunities and resources and magnify the work of the organization. The committees engage diverse stakeholders including board members, Affiliate leaders, volunteers, and graduates.
RACIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL
It is impossible to separate systemic and structural racism from the reality that people of color, and Black people in particular, are disproportionately affected by homelessness and poverty.The Family Promise Racial Justice Council was formed to ensure we address racial equity issues in our work at all levels. The Council is comprised of Family Promise community members from across the country.
E’tienne Easley
Director of Development, Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga
E’tienne Easley
“It is my hope in working with the Racial Justice Council that I help to create an equitable community among Family Promise Affiliates that will extend into the communities we serve. To do this work, I want to disseminate relative information that will heighten awareness, increase knowledge, and address structural racism living within the attitudes, institutions, and structures built to dehumanize and permanently silence African Americans and people of color.”
Jocelyn Fermin
Operations Manager, Family Promise of Orange County
Jocelyn Fermin
“Safe spaces must be created for those who have experienced racial injustices. In which, they can share their stories and have their concerns amplified so necessary solutions can be implemented. As a member of the Racial Justice Council, I will continue my work of creating educational toolsets for staff, boards, and the committee, to foster safe spaces and equity to support families facing housing insecurity.”
Tenisa Frye
Chief Executive Officer, Family Promise of West Michigan
Tenisa Frye
“As a member of the RJC, I welcome the opportunity to challenge the norm by advocating for systemic change that will result in positively impacting underserved communities. I am excited that the RJC creates a safe space to amplify awareness surrounding structural racism, while fostering candid conversations with innovative solutions that prioritize Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.”
Caroline Lamar
Regional Director (South), Family Promise
Mitchell Petit-Frere
Director of Marketing, Family Promise
Mitchell Petit-Frere
“Black Americans only make up 13% of the U.S. population but account for nearly 40% of the country’s homeless population. This is the result of centuries of racism. I hope my work on the Racial Justice Council helps educate Family Promise community members nationwide on the role systemic racism plays in the lives of the non-white families we serve.”
Cheryl Schuch
Chief Executive Officer, Family Promise
Cheryl Schuch
"The RJC is instrumental to our commitment to educate, train, and advocate within the communities we serve. Through the RJC, we’re having critical conversations and broadening perspectives that reflect diverse populations. I’m personally committed to this work as I’ve seen firsthand how expanding equity and cultivating inclusion can improve the human experience."
RaShawn Stanley
Program Director, Family Promise of the Triangle
RaShawn Stanley
“As a member of the RJC I hope to not only foster the necessary conversations about racial equity but to part of the work that eliminates the need for those conversations."
Kellie Thomas
Board Member, Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis
Kellie Thomas
“It is my pleasure to serve on the RJC and my hope is to lend my voice to advocate for the families and communities that Family Promise serves. In order to do this work, I want to analyze data nationally that provide true facts about structural racism that lead to a lack of equity and access for African Americans and people of color. My goal on the RJC is to communicate truth, provide data and insight, educate, and be an accountability partner for those seeking to understand and advocate for change and grow.”
Rev. Vernon Williams
Board Member, Family Promise
Rev. Vernon Williams
"As a member of the Family Promise RJC, I look forward to lending my voice, time, and energy to the ongoing and necessary efforts, identifying and dismantling racism in the communities that Family Promise serves. I am pleased to be working with a cohort of individuals that seek to reverse the effects of racism by recommending equitable and inclusive remedies to level the playing field for both clients and staff of Family Promise."