Did you know that homeless families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population today?  Since 2006, local nonprofit Family Promise of Gallatin Valley has been a part of the solution to homelessness for these families by helping them regain their independence. The need for temporary shelter is growing for homeless families in our community. As a result, Family Promise is looking for more congregations to help provide this temporary shelter for only four weeks each year.

The Family Promise program utilizes a family day center to provide full-time case management to help families find employment, housing and work on life skills. In the evenings, up to four Family Promise families sleep overnight at a different host congregation each week from a Sunday evening to a Sunday morning.

“I can’t think of a better way to put faith into action than churches opening their doors to homeless families in our community,” said Executive Director Gloria Edwards.

Each evening, families are transported to hosting congregations where volunteers welcome them as guests into their church or synagogue, providing them with meals, hospitality and overnight accommodations for one week on a rotating basis. Family Promise also utilizes partner congregations that assist host congregations by providing meals and overnight volunteers during hosting weeks. There are currently 24 generous congregations partnering in the Family Promise program.

“Family Promise has over an 80% success rate of families graduating the program with stable housing, employment and childcare. Our volunteers and congregations are really the heart and soul of our program. They provide support, care and encouragement to families who just need a new beginning,” said Bridget Pitman, Volunteer and Marketing Director.

Family Promise is in need of one more host congregation and four more partner congregations to help our families only four times per year.
Past Family Promise guest Cami said, “Family Promise is a blessing and continues to touch the hearts and lives of many. I cannot thank them enough for showing me love, inspiring me, and giving me wings to fly! I went from homeless to being a homeowner! I am forever grateful.”

If your congregation is interested in participating in Family Promise of Gallatin Valley, please contact Bridget Pitman at  bpitman@familypromisegv.org or call 406.582.7388.