OUR MISSION
Family Promise prevents and ends homelessness for families with children and helps them achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
HOMELESSNESS IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM
Housing alone won’t solve family homelessness. It’s a crisis that requires an integrated approach that addresses all the issues that can lead to the loss of a home.
Every year in America, 2.5. million children experience homelessness. These children are at a much greater risk for academic failure and mental health crises. They are also more likely to experience homelessness in adulthood.
PROVIDING A WAY TO HELP
Family homelessness is an invisible crisis that exists in communities of all types and sizes across the country. But we can change that. Family Promise brings communities together to implement solutions that ensure families have a secure place to call home and a bright future.
EMPOWERING COMPASSIONATE INDIVIDUALS
The issue can seem overwhelming and individuals may feel powerless to change the lives of people in poverty. As Family Promise volunteers, tens of thousands of people have found a way.
Working together, they provide temporary housing, meals, and services to thousands of family members annually. They mentor families at-risk of experiencing homelessness. They teach financial literacy. They help find jobs and affordable housing. They create programs to meet specific needs in their communities. And they advocate for public policies that alleviate poverty and promote the economic stability of low-income families.
“I never imagined we’d be in this situation, but Family Promise shattered my stereotype of how homelessness is treated. It’s a whole community of people who are there for you in any way you need, even after you get back on your feet.”
OUR VISION
We want to meet the unmet needs for prevention and shelter for families with children in a housing crisis and offer stabilization services and permanent housing solutions in communities where Family Promise is located.
FAMILY PROMISE COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY
Family Promise is committed to applying Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) best practices to all aspects of our work. Our goal is to prevent and end family homelessness, and we understand that aspiration is not possible without addressing equity issues at all levels.
Our work in this space includes the engagement of people with lived experience in program design and leadership as well as committees and councils formed to prioritize issues like racial equity at all levels of the organization. We also desire to demonstrate our values through formal statements around equality, non-discrimination, and racism.
FAMILY PROMISE STATEMENT ON EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
Family Promise serves families of all compositions. We welcome everyone in the community to be part of the solution to empower families experiencing homelessness, so they may ultimately retain and regain the safety, security, and opportunity that comes with having a home.
FAMILY PROMISE STATEMENT ON RACISM
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. Family Promise is committed to being an anti-racist organization. We will educate and engage ourselves, our stakeholders, and the community to work towards overcoming racism, so that race no longer defines who has housing.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY (DEIA) COMMITTEE
The DEIA Committee fosters an engaging and inclusive environment for Family Promise stakeholders by:
- Advocating and promoting diversity and inclusion through training and communications
- Creating the opportunity for others to incorporate unique perspectives and experiences
- Encouraging initiatives that support cultural competency across Family Promise network
The DEIA Committee is also available to support Family Promise in the development of policies, procedures, and programs using a DEIA lens and help staff to set DEIA goals and objectives.
The committee’s members are listed below.
Chair
Vernon Williams (Assistant to the Pastor, Fountain Baptist Church; President, Summit Interfaith Council)
Board Members
Chris King (Assurance Partner, PWC)
Mary Muliett (President and CEO, Battle Creek Community Foundation)
Cheryl Schuch (CEO, Family Promise)
Non-Board Members
Ryan Catalani (Executive Director, Family Promise of Hawaiʻi)
Tenisa Frye (CEO, Family Promise of West Michigan)
Hon. Stephanie Jones (Administrative Law Judge, U.S. Federal Government; CEO, Omega Daughter, LLC)
Willard McCloud (Vice President of DEI, Zimmer Biomet)
“That’s what’s so great about Family Promise – they give families more than shelter. They welcome them in and help them focus on healing and moving forward.”
OUR CORE VALUES
Family Promise is committed to making sure everything we do is guided by our core values.
SUSTAINED IMPACT
We work tirelessly to ensure that the impact we have transforms communities, empowers our partners and teams, and fosters independence for the families we serve long into the future.
COMMUNITY-BASED
We maximize impact in the communities we serve by leveraging existing resources, driving local and national partnerships, and collaborating with an extensive network of staff and volunteers to power a national movement committed to ending family homelessness.
INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE
We recognize that systems, communities, and organizations are stronger when they combine the skills, experiences, and efforts of a diverse group of individuals. We strive for diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all that we do to ensure all families have access to housing and opportunities to succeed.
STRATEGIC INNOVATION
We address the root causes of homelessness and seek to dissolve the issue, not just manage it. With input from families with lived experience, we bring innovative responses to our work that are adaptable and scalable so we can continue to meet the changing needs of families experiencing homelessness.
AUTHENTIC HOSPITALITY
We emphasize the “family” in Family Promise. We are more than shelter–we are a compassionate, caring and connected network of friends, volunteers, colleagues, and partners all dedicated to serving families in crisis.
EMPATHETIC ENGAGEMENT
We commit to listening, learning, and supporting everyone we encounter. We embrace the uniqueness of every person and family and take time to fully understand and validate their perspectives and experiences to shape our work.
“People need a support system. That’s what I noticed about Family Promise…They guide people to their financial freedom so they can be successful.”
