tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16721020172877162242024-03-14T08:48:55.670-04:00Helping Homeless Children and FamiliesCapturing events and happenings for Family Promise of Northern New Castle County (Delaware)Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-91763704574108967652014-04-21T18:00:00.001-04:002014-04-22T09:35:41.597-04:00Family Promise NNCC Annual Report (2013)<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwEPjlSV8Kv-dmYxUGd2MkRjZ1k/edit" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwEPjlSV8Kv-dmYxUGd2MkRjZ1k/edit" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">HOT OF THE PRESS! Family Promise NNCC 2013 Annual Report!</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">(click on the above link to read the PDF of our latest Annual Report) </span>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-31780212531229568222014-04-01T13:23:00.002-04:002014-04-01T13:26:04.970-04:00“Now I See”, Sermon on John 9:1-41, Limestone Presbyterian 3.30.14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
am so grateful for the opportunity to be back at Limestone Presbyterian Church. I was given the “green light” to speak on whatever
scripture I felt compelled to use and to use any hymns and prayers I thought
appropriate…the only caveat I was given was that if it didn’t go over well in
the first service, use the hour in between to radically change what I would say
in the second!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Especially
during this time of Easter in the Church, I feel it is important to not deviate
and to speak on the scriptures for the fourth Sunday in Lent. Yes, there are the obvious somber overtones
that are present during this month and into April. But, this is also a time highlighting Jesus
preforming miracles and it is reaffirmed that, not only that he is the Son of
God, but that all who follow in his steps will bear witness to God’s great
love. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
a direct connection to Family Promise!
Every day I witness miracles. Every day I see faith in action and
disciples of Jesus performing miracles.
I see these in the twinkle of a child’s eye, the open arms of a
volunteer greeting perfect strangers for dinner, the faith our families have in
our volunteer drivers, the smile and pride that comes when a mom secures
employment. I see God’s love when we
pray before board meetings, when volunteers and families are unknown to each
other on Sunday and by the following weekend, a transformational relationship
has begun. Miracles happen all around us;
it is just a matter of whether our eyes are open to seeing them. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
initial passage in John chapter 9 contains powerful language. The disciples ask of Jesus, “who sinned, this
man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
And Jesus answers, “neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born
blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.” (John 9:2-3). It is these words and the notion of sinning,
spiritual blindness and God’s work being revealed that I want to discuss
further. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone
once said to me, “many people talk about Spiritual Bankruptcy, having faith but
then something happened and they lose it all; they abandoned God, though God
did not abandon him; they doubt Jesus and stop believing in miracles. I fear I suffer from Spiritual Poverty- I
never had my spirit nurtured. I never
gained faith to even have lost it. I
just don’t have it”. Imagine the
darkness this person must have been feeling!
Haven’t we seen this with our families we serve at Family Promise? They have lost jobs, lost housing, perhaps
lost a spouse and many other “things” in their lives. Some also lose hope and faith in the
process. And some may have never had
hope or faith to rely on when the sea waters got tumultuous in the first place. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Families
come to Family Promise with shattered pieces of who they once were but also
with a kernel of hope and faith, or they would not have ever made that phone
call for help. As we learned from The
Parable of the Mustard Seed, we know where the seed of hope and faith is
planted, it will take root and grow, regardless of the health soil. We have seen families get back employment, housing
and in the process, hope and faith, two sides of the same coin. They start attending their home church again;
they found a men’s group through Family Promise in which they felt like they
belonged. They might not immediately
return to a house of worship, but they leave Family Promise with the best version
of God, the Bible and of faith. This
happens because you, as a member of Limestone Presbyterian Church, show the
unconditional love that Jesus showed to the blind man in John’s epistle. You do
not judge, do not see sins and you serve as we are all called to do. That is a continuation of the miracles that
Jesus once performed!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
have always seen this blind faith working throughout Family Promise but
recently, I have personally been touched by it.
As some of you may know my other half, Michael, sustained a bad injury
in December which led to major back surgery in February. Not only did this derail his business
endeavors, but around the time he had surgery done, our heater went out in our
house, his brother passed away from cancer and to top it all off, we had to put
one of our beloved cats down. It was a
dark time to say the least. I never once
felt like my faith was being tested; it certainly was a time, however, when I
had to rely on my faith and trust in God.
This was a time that I had to put into practice what I preach and reach
out for help, as Galatians 6:2 calls us to.
Sometimes, when life hands you lemons, you try to find really great
people you can give them to who can make lemonade and then they serve you up a
glass with a box of tissues. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Limestone Presbyterian showed such compassion and blind faith in Michael. You do not know this man the way I do but you
did not think he must have sinned to have sustained his injury, like the disciples
initially thought of the blind man. Instead,
you sent a card and a prayer shawl which he consistently wears now around the
house. I’d like to read his thank you
card…. …..In James 2, we learned that,
“faith without works is dead”. Because your light shined, you helped when
it was dark for Michael. Sharing your light helped opened his eyes to the
beauty that still surrounded him. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
we continue with the concepts of “blindness” and “seeing”, I am reminded time
and time again through Family Promise, “there is more than what meets the
eye”. There is a story I would like to
share. We love any and all donations at
Family Promise. We welcome people
dropping of household items, paper products, toiletries, laundry detergent and
cleaning supplies to our Day Center, as our families need this when they move
into their own housing and we need these items to keep our center running. Occasionally, we will receive donations of
clothing. This particular day, I had
arrived and we had numerous large black garbage bags in the Day Center living
room, overflowing with clothing. The
families were encouraged to look through and see if anything would fit them or
their children before we passed them on to another ministry to help people in
need. A mom pulled out a toddler pair of
Timberland Boots. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now,
if you don’t know, Timberland is a pretty hip brand, and, the brand is not
cheap. Because the shoes were toddler
size, they were still in pristine condition.
The mom put the boots on her son and they fit perfectly! Everyone was happy for her and we all laughed
together as the boy gave us a little fashion show with his new boots. The mother thanked me profusely and I
reminded her, the boots came from a donor so the real praise goes to that
person and a general thank you to Family Promise for connecting people who want
to give with children that have boots with holes. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
I walked up the stairs to my office, I had a wave of sadness come over me. I thought about how this mom and her son might
go somewhere and be judged. Why you
ask? Because people may see all the
negative adjectives of who she appears to be: homeless, unemployed, receiving
food benefits. How dare her son have
name-brand boots! They may judge her for
poor money management skills; for “milking the system” and whatever else. What people won’t realize is that those boots
were left, in a garbage bag, as a donation to the program in which she is
currently residing. There is always more
than what meets the eye and in John 9, in the third verse we are reminded to
not judge and question about “sin” or “worthiness”. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
titled this Sermon, “Now I See” because John 9 describes a man who could not
see and <i>now</i> he can and as a nod to Amazing
Grace. Amazing Grace, the most beloved
and well-recognized hymn, was written by John Newton to represent his own
conversion to Christianity; he was a slave trader and through a series of
spiritual awakenings, he surrendered the profession and became a Priest. John 9 and Amazing Grace tie together
miracles and God’s Grace with forgiveness and redemption. I find
the choice of words is important: “I once was lost but now am found; I once was
blind, but now I see”. The words are not
“I was sinning and now have stopped”. This line from Amazing Grace places no
ownership; it merely states there was a fall from grace but now he is back; it
was not God’s fall (it never is, right?) nor it is important to stress how much
of it was his own sinful nature. What is
important is that now he is found, and now he can see. This is the same transformation for our
families.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just
like the blind man was not sinning our families have not sinned to land them in
Family Promise. Our families experience
a job loss, a disability, a family break-up or some other catastrophic event. In these past few months, I have experienced
how close one can be to the edge. But, our
eyes were reopened to all that we had to be grateful for: Michael had health insurance, he had a house
he could come home to and recover peacefully in, he had technology at his
fingertips to keep him preoccupied and, he of course had a loving, amazing partner
to care for him. Spending any time
volunteering or working at Family Promise, you begin to count your
blessings. Our plight was no different
than what our guests’ experience, but the resources we had, and choices we
could make, were what sets us apart. Our
guests experience life on life’s terms just the way we do; it is this series of
unfortunate events and not having the resources to stay afloat that leads to
homelessness, not some inherent sinful character defect.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
you volunteer, donate items, give of your treasure to Family Promise, you show
blind faith in our families, just like you did in Michael, perhaps because you
too are counting your blessings and want to pass a little of God’s love. You believe our parents ability to be good
parents, secure employment and get back on their feet. But, don't the families also show their faith
in us? The families that come through
Family Promise do not know who will be driving the van and they show up at a
congregation not knowing who will be serving them dinner (and even what will be
served sometimes!). Imagine the faith you would need to put your life, and
especially to put your children’s lives in the care of Family Promise. Imagine, having to hold on to the promises
that we make through the reassurance from smiling volunteers, and the citing of
the successful outcomes of families that have come before; <i>THAT</i> is God’s grace and though the families might not identify it
as such, and we might forget to acknowledge its presence....it is there,
omnipresent just like God himself.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> -Carolyn Gordon, Executive Director, Family Promise NNCC</span></span></div>
Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-46168216731680550622013-10-29T10:43:00.002-04:002013-10-29T10:44:04.248-04:00Sermon on Jeremiah 18:1-11, Mt. Lebanon UMC<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jeremiah
18:1-11</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sermon,
Mt. Lebanon UMC, September 8<sup>th</sup>, 2013</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carolyn
Gordon, Family Promise NNCC</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">First
and foremost, thank you for this opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mt. Lebanon is a beloved faith community within the Family Promise
congregational network. I feel very blessed to be able to share with you all here
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah chapter 18 speaks to me
about transformations and I would like to talk about this today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family Promise is all about transformations,
not only of the families we serve but of ourselves because of the experience
helping others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We strengthen the lives
of those we serve, just as the potter strengthened his clay into a vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In turn, we build and strengthen ourselves
and our entire community to which we all belong.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Family Promise, as I hope most of you know, helps
families with children who are temporarily homeless move on to lasting
independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Unfortunately,
the common denominator of why families seek out Family Promise is that they all
experienced an undesirable transformation- a series of unfortunate events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There may have been illness, loss of an
income, divorce, death, a fire or some other catastrophic event that is bound
to shake anyone up and crack part of the clay foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 139, verses 14-16 reminds us that we
are all God’s children and wonderfully made in His eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says “I praise you, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful are your
works; that I know very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My frame
was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in
the depths of the earth”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage
reminds us that we are all perfect and that the only time we should look down
upon another is when we are extending our hand to lift them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black;"></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
families at Family Promise go through a transformation, a metamorphosis, and it
is such a privilege that we all can bear witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remind the parents that a breakdown and a
breakthrough often look exactly the same when it is happening. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the like the potter saw his clay was
spoiled, sometimes we need to rework and remold our lives, our behaviors, and
choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can often seem messy at
first, many pieces scattered about and we may not have the faith that it will
all come together as a perfect picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our families come to us with an assortment of pieces, fragments of who
they once were, pieces of dreams they still cling to and the struggles they
currently face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The families lay these
pieces, these burdens, before Family Promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even if they do not have hope, they do not have faith, they do not see
the light at the end of the tunnel, we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a faith-based community, we can believe in their abilities, we can
share our hope and faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can provide
the reassurance that it will work out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One
of my favorite quotes is, “a burden shared is cut in half, and a joy shared is
doubled”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the crux of the Family
Promise model!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the day, our families
work with staff on their personal goals and plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They start reworking the clay that is already
perfect in essence but may need some modifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With staff support, the parents seek or
maintain employment, work on budgeting, ensure children are on track with
school and doctors’ appointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
night, the families relax in the most-homelike environment possible directly in
houses of worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mt. Lebanon is the
support congregation to Aldersgate UMC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aldersgate directly houses 4 homeless families in converted classrooms,
3-4 times a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of fifteen
host congregations that rotate on a weekly basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We collectively ease the burdens of our
neighbor and when a mom is able to secure a job, a dad earns a trade
certificate, a child has a great football game; we share in the celebration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
hosting, you may bear witness to different points of a families’
transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may meet a family who
just joined the Family Promise network and are skeptical at best as to what
this “interfaith hospitality network” is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They may be fearful of judgment, may have negative stereotypes of what a
“homeless shelter is”, feel guilty, or worst yet, feel like God and the
community does not love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We begin
to peel away the layers, fix chips on the pot where it may still be good and
help the family rework their lives into what God truly intends for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You
may meet families toward the end of their time at Family Promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may take on a few different variations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may see families full of joy of what has
been accomplished, securing of a vehicle for reliable transportation to their
new full-time job, they are ready and anxious to move out to their apartment or
which they have already signed their lease and they are thankful for the
support that Family Promise was able to provide. Alternatively, families may
have all the pieces in place but return to some of the feelings with which they
entered Family Promise: fear, what if something goes wrong again? Anxiety, I
have gotten used to survival mode and things not working out, when will the
other shoe drop? Do I really deserve all of this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally, families may leave Family
Promise <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">during </i>their
transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The families are only
with us but a few months and transformations can take time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may be only a snapshot in time and be but
a seed planted in their journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
may not leave with all the necessities in place such as housing and employment
but they are further along in their journey than when they came to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because
time takes time, Family Promise continues to be a resource for families well
after they graduate and leave the rotational network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many shelter programs stick with “placements”
or “exits” to permanent housing but for us, that is not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to ensure “lasting independence” as
our mission statement says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to
ensure 6 months out, a year out, that family is still on their feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needs change over time and it may be just a
call to tell us their son got all A’s this marking period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be a call to us from a mom that her
sister suddenly and tragically passed away and she didn’t know who else she
could share the news with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be
that a car broken down, or school supplies are needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Families call too to refer a family in need,
donate items and clothing back to other families at FP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Families come back to volunteer and mentor.
Again, a burden shared is cut in half and joys shared are doubled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
need to also remember to provide people the grace and time to transform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure we have all been guilty of thinking
a coworker will never learn, or a boyfriend of a loved one is no good, or we
write-off our own gifts and talents saying I’ll never be in shape, I stink at
math, I wish I was a better parent, partner, colleague…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah, chapter 18 reminds us that God
believes in the ability to transform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
provides grace and God allows for 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> or even 4<sup>th</sup>
chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was stated that if an entire
nation were to turn from its evil ways, disaster will not come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entire nations have the ability to restart
and shift their direction!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should
remember to provide grace to all of our neighbors transforming into the best
versions of themselves in God’s time, not ours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
would like to share with you some transformations we have helped to
create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One example that truly
demonstrates the impact of Family Promise is that of a mom and two sons
currently in our network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family
went through an unfortunate family separation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Prior to entering the Family Promise NNCC, the mom and boys were living
in a motel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family had sold off all
possessions to try to keep a roof over their head and the mom was struggling to
secure employment (she is a trained RN) because her housing situation was precarious
at best and she had no means of transportation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Family Promise was able to cover her background check of $69 and our
Case Manager drove her to Dover to get this completed so she could begin a
full-time position with a state hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The timing also worked out so that the family received a donated vehicle
from a volunteer from one of our host congregations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, the mom has gainful employment, reliable
transportation and is looking forward to securing her own housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a little bit of creativity, time and a
small amount of direct financial support, Family Promise was able provide hope
and a stable foundation on which to build. </span></div>
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Two
months ago, we expanded our staff of 2 to 3, adding on a full-time case
manager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this added resource, we
have expanded how many families we can serve at any given time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year alone, we had over 600 calls from
families seeking help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We refuse to end
any phone call with someone in need with “sorry, we are full”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now help on average 30-35 families at any
given time, even when our network is full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An example follows:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a married
couple with two children reached out to Family Promise NNCC, as they were
behind in their rent and eviction was imminent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The family had been in this apartment for approximately two years,
paying rent on time and doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
few months ago, both parents were laid off (worked for the same company).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family Promise NNCC helped the dad secure
full-time employment by covering the cost of the background check and a gas
card to get him to work until he received his first paycheck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working with our congregations, we provided
the family a grant toward their back rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just this past week, mom secured employment as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are confident this family will get through
this tough period and we can prevent them from becoming homelessness and
needing to enter the homelessness system altogether. In an email from the mom,
“amazing things seem to be looking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please keep us in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
so grateful for your support and couldn’t get through this without the help”.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">Another example of the
miracle’s we create: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ebony’s
family came to Family Promise NNCC frustrated, exhausted and separated between
different shelters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both parents had
work history but because of their son’s illness, they missed too many days and
were laid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lack of employment
had led to the loss of housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
their time in our rotational network, they gained employment, secured childcare
for their children, maintained critical doctor appointments for their son and
signed a lease to move into a 2 bedroom apartment in the town they wanted to
be, close to extended family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family
took advantage of all resources available to them: workshops, parenting
support, rides by volunteers, donated dental work and clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After only 90 days in the network, volunteers
were helping to carry furniture up to their new second-story apartment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad got his driver’s license back and was the
proud recipient of a donated car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
signing the paperwork, a volunteer asked John, “what is your plan with the car
tonight?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John, overwhelmed with the
blessings his family had received including the vehicle, answered back, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I am going to sit in the back seat and
cry.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides gaining employment
and housing, this family got back their faith and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John began to attend a men’s group in one of
our host congregations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the
hospitality and hope we provide, where there was once discouragement and
disappointment, there is now happiness and excitement for the future.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How
amazing it is to be part of these transformations!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">These are only a few examples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to share them all but we have
served over 50 families this year alone and over 80% of our families go on to
achieve housing stability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
almost 4x’s the average success rate of a typical family shelter in
Delaware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we do this all at a
fraction of the cost, because we leverage the gifts and talents of the faith
community and empower volunteers to take part in helping our neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of these success stories would be
possible, had it not been for congregations to open their doors, provide meals,
offer financial gifts to cover the costs of background checks, offer time to be
a mentor or a tutor, donate items such as a car or clothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each
and every one of you has the opportunity share God’s love with our neighbors
who are experiencing temporary homelessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;">Family Promise always has
opportunities to share your wealth- whether it be time, financial resources or
item donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>The hosting week
at Aldersgate is coming up, starting Sunday, September 29<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are plenty of ways to support this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be hosting our free
fundraising breakfast in October and I would welcome the chance to share more
information on that for any who are interested. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One quick story and I will end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our quarterly coordinator’s meeting
last week where the volunteer coordinators of the 30 congregations involved get
together to reflect on our successes, hear about graduates and other network updates
and share tips amongst each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of the volunteers whose church had just finished hosting shared a story with
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put out individual mints on each
individual’s pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two children came
out their room the first evening, squealing for joy because they received
candy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The volunteer just thought she
had leftover mints and placing one on each pillow would add to the hospitality
her church was providing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did she
know that one simple gesture would stick with the children for days to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This not only reflected positively on the
church hosting but on Family Promise as a whole and left the children with the
gentle reminder that there are people who love them unconditionally and there
are people who will take an extra second to show God’s love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never underestimate the power you have to
take part in someone else’s transformation and bring them closer to God’s love
and the perfect individual, the perfect clay vessel that we are all meant to
be. </span></div>
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Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-14868505319461679822013-10-29T10:42:00.000-04:002013-10-29T10:42:29.594-04:00Carolyn Gordon, Executive Director: words at the Family Promise Breakfast, Tuesday, October 8th<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My name is Carolyn Gordon and it does say Executive Director
on my business card, however you can find me doing many things at Family
Promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just heard a little bit [from the video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENPHAn5TcbU">Family Promise National 25 years of Promises Kept</a>]
about the history of Family Promise nationally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I now have the pleasure to describe the impact we have had right here in
our own community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family Promise of
Northern New Castle County, the only affiliate and the only agency of its kind
in Delaware started in March of 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That first year, 15 congregations were committed to the mission and 8
families were served.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It piqued many
people’s curiosity; could you really keep families together during this trying
time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A program that serves teenagers-
wild!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These families will sleep in
congregations?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was certainly an impressive year and laid
tremendous groundwork for the years to come. But what if you were that 9<sup>th</sup>
family that needed shelter that year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were enough resources for the 8 families before you but to you, it was “sorry,
we are full”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have a responsibility to our community, our neighbors in
need and ourselves to at least try to go further, deeper, spread our love and
hope wider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2012, we picked up the pace a little bit,
serving over double the amount from the year prior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also did not sacrifice quality for quantity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 85% of our families transition on to
their own permanent, safe and stable housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is almost 4xs the average success rate of a shelter program in
Delaware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, you may find me
plunging a toilet, on a break from writing a grant, and rushing because I am
late for a meeting with a community partner but you will never hear me doubt
the power of FP.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year, with your support, our organization has grown significantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now have a one year graduate family
program and we serve families on our waiting list while our network is full and
we have added 15 congregations to our network since we started in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
staff experienced 50% growth- we went from 2 staff to 3! And if you really want
to get technical, we are at 2.75 FTE. This year already, we have helped over
150 children and their parents and continue to maintain our success rates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We did all of this growth without drastically increasing our
budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine what we could if we could
increase our financial contributions! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine if we had more funding to cover work
uniforms for parents, shoes for children, match debt repair and savings, and offset
rental security deposits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
dollar you donate translates into over $2.50 for program impact because we
leverage the gifts and talents of all our volunteers and we love item
donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the furniture and items
families receive when they move into their new place were donated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The programs, name tags, and pictures on our
tables were put together by amazing volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We operate at a fraction of the cost of a traditional shelter to create
miracles for families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my biggest joys with my job is helping a family move
into their own apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the
culmination of their hard work in securing and or maintaining employment and
Family Promise’s love, hope, hospitality and help along their journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People will ask me, why do you lift the
furniture? Don’t you have people who can do that? They will say, “Your
Executive Director, you shouldn’t be doing that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still get goosebumps as I drive away from a
family knowing they are sleeping on their own beds, they will wake up and eat
breakfast in their own kitchen, and they will shower in their own
bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a place to call
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have an address that they
worked hard for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these moments, we
have had volunteers and families spontaneously pray together, celebrate the
mini victory of figuring out how bunk beds get put together, and laugh
together, jokingly reminiscing about how much they will miss spaghetti, ham and
aerobeds from the network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my most favorite quotes that is at the core of the FP
model is a burden shared is cut in half and a joy shared is doubled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When families move in, we cut the burden in
half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they move out, we all
share in that joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who wouldn’t want to be part of that
experience?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With your ongoing support we
can continue to make this a reality for many more families to come. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I encourage, as you hear from the other speakers to think
about that next family in line on our waitlist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have had over 500 calls seeking help this year alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about those families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all have hopes and dreams, fears and
concerns, and need a hand-up not a hand-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With just a little bit more funding, could we have helped the family
that called after the last spot in the network became full? Then maybe the one
after that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we have additional
funding, we could offset more security deposit so that family can move out a
little sooner by thus opening up a coveted spot in the network.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what Family Promise has come to mean to me:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Show me a seemingly broken family. I will show
you untapped strengths and hidden gifts.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Show me a need and a gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will show you a congregational network of
almost 800 volunteers that fills voids almost as soon as we spot them. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Show me doubt that homeless programs can be
cost-effective and efficiently run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will show you a dedicated, compassion and smart board of 16 and a staff of 3. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Show me a dollar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will show $2.50 of program impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do a lot with the one and could do even
more if that one dollar was two!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year, we will serve 60 families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I implore you to think….what if you or a
loved one fell on hard times and became that 61<sup>st</sup> family that needed
the love and help of Family Promise?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What would you do if you had a loss of an income, an illness, a family
break-up and need some help to get back on your feet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On your table, you have a picture
of my buddy John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are stories
behind all of those pictures and I would like to share more about John. His
family came to Family Promise NNCC frustrated, exhausted and separated between
different shelters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both parents had
work history but because of their son’s illness, they missed too many days and
were laid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lack of employment
had led to the loss of housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
their time in our rotational network, they gained employment, secured childcare
for their children, maintained critical doctor appointments for their son and
signed a lease to move into a 2 bedroom apartment in the town they wanted to
be, close to extended family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The family took advantage of all
resources available to them: workshops, parenting support, rides by volunteers,
donated dental work and clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
only 90 days in the network, volunteers were helping to carry furniture up to
their new second-story apartment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad
got his driver’s license back and was the proud recipient of a donated
car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After signing the paperwork, a
volunteer asked John, “what is your plan with the car tonight?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John, overwhelmed with the blessings his
family had received including the vehicle, answered back, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I am going to sit in the back seat of the car and cry.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides gaining employment and housing, this
family got back their faith and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
of the hospitality and hope we provide, where there was once discouragement and
disappointment, there is now happiness and excitement for the future.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-75031143853829380732013-10-10T13:00:00.001-04:002013-10-10T13:00:09.196-04:00Family Promise's "Pathway to Home: Breakfast was a success! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoavpvUQYqfIlzh5c9pa6jUMegykZtj0rPPdqTj4TFo77BW6kB5YgnrwSsFKTUfB0nvNd7sxno2v_kTszBgteP2vX5RXGkYeTcHyW-MDeBHqHQNz3Db5lzlbHINafU0oSBJ5VRU_okwbU/s1600/Pathway+to+Home+Breakfast+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoavpvUQYqfIlzh5c9pa6jUMegykZtj0rPPdqTj4TFo77BW6kB5YgnrwSsFKTUfB0nvNd7sxno2v_kTszBgteP2vX5RXGkYeTcHyW-MDeBHqHQNz3Db5lzlbHINafU0oSBJ5VRU_okwbU/s320/Pathway+to+Home+Breakfast+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Family Promise's "Pathway to Home" Breakfast was a huge success! <br />
Read the testimonials that inspired the 300+ guests.<br />
<br />
From Mary, a graduate of Family Promise and a current Board Member:<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi my name is Mary Ruggiero. I have been married for 20 years. My husband
and I ran into financial difficulties when he was looking for work [after being
laid off] and I lost my job. We fell behind in rent and wound up losing our
house. We had our daughter and grandson with us. With nowhere to really go, I
began looking into shelters but was told basically the same thing from all of
the places I called: “We only take people with addictions”, or “we can take you
and your daughter and grandson but your husband would have to go to another
place”. We were not looking to be split up after all the years we were
together. We wound up having to split temporarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a job but Ron was still looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My income wasn’t enough to get back on our
feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found 2 family shelters where
we could be together. The first place ran a credit report and said our credit
wasn’t good enough for their program. The other place said my daughter was too
old. We were frustrated. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In order to stay together as a family, we stayed with my grown son in the
garage out back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a place for
our baby grandson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were finally put
in touch with Family Promise. We got the intake and went through all the steps.
A week later we got a call inviting us into the network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said, “we will help Ron find work and
help you to regain housing”. Same story, just a different group of people. We
weren't expecting anything but at least we would be together with a roof over
our heads for a bit. Our daughter who had just turned 18 decided she did not
want to enter into a shelter situation so just Ron the baby and I went into
Family Promise. After a few weeks Danielle told me she wanted to be with us. I
thought, this was never going to work since she didn't enter with us. I took a
shot and talked to Carolyn who reassured me that the program was called FAMILY
Promise and Danielle, our daughter, was more than welcome to join us. We really
gave the network a workout with our work schedules. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rarely would you find us all together. With the help of the volunteers in
the network everything went smoothly. They made sure we had everything we
needed to make this process as stress free as possible. The volunteers made
sure I got back from work every night no matter what time I got done. During
the day Ron plugged away at job hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He sent out resumes out all day, every day. Finally, a month and a half
later he landed not one but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">two</b> job
opportunities. He actually had to decide which job to take!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saved and saved and finally it was time to
find our own place. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ron and I talked everyday how this doesn't seem real. All the time we spent
without any help trying to get our lives straight and in a 3 month period
Family Promise got us all together, working, got the baby in day care, and we
were on our way to independence again. Finally on December 1st we signed our
lease. But we had nothing: no dishes, no furniture, no food. Family Promise
wasn't going to let that happen. Everything we needed for a fresh start we got.
We moved into our rental property on December 2, with everything from beds to
couches to dishes and food. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our whole time at Family Promise, we never pressured or worried about
ending up back on the streets. We were determined to win this and Family
Promise was determined to help us. They guided us on budgeting, handling our
expenses and just everything we needed to make this work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worked hard and they put in a lot of work
too but they gave us the tools and guidance we needed to make things
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no empty promises.
Everything they said they would do they did. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here we are almost one year later still enjoying our independence with
Family Promise still with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
husband’s job went full-time with benefits and I continue to work my same
job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our daughter is working and now
seriously looking into going back to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our grandson is doing wonderful too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Family Promise didn't leave us once we gained our independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They continue to make sure we are doing well
and help out here and there. I now have the opportunity to give back by being
on the Board of Directors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This really
is a great organization for people who are truly sincere about getting back on
their feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.</span></div>
<br />
<br />Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-22858722007526255692013-08-06T10:11:00.002-04:002013-08-06T10:11:39.374-04:00The Parable of the Rich Fool- FPNNCC guest preacher at Limestone Presbyterian!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Parable of the Rich Fool</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sermon,
Limestone Presbyterian, August 4<sup>th</sup>, 2013</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carolyn
Gordon, Family Promise NNCC</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">First, I want to express my gratitude for the
opportunity to be here today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a
dear place in my heart for Limestone Presbyterian, as a host congregation of
Family Promise and a community of caring individuals who have a collective
passion that is infectious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do want
say, I am a little nervous today, but only after Pastor Bruce reminded me this
would be recorded and because my last presentation was a week ago to 100
school-aged children at a day camp in preparation of a supply drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That presentation was call and response
discussing items they would collect that would benefit the families of Family
Promise and with clapping after each “correct” answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little different than this to say the
least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I know I am in the right
place to receive grace. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I first learned from Pastor Bruce that this
was the liturgy for this week, I thought, “wow! What an easy parable to connect
to Family Promise!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sharing of wealth,
not harboring gains for a future time that may never come…easy to connect to
helping families who are homeless get back on their feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to push the conversation a little
deeper today- let us go beyond just discussing that sharing is what God wants
us to do.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We live in a society that promotes working hard
and reaping the benefits of what we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is the American Dream- pull yourself up by your bootstraps and if you
work hard enough, you will earn enough and if you earn enough, you have a right
to squander or stash it away because you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">worked
</i>for it, you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">earned</i> it. Earning,
sitting back and having pride in a job well done and enjoying the wealth as the
result will make us happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But does it?
Does it not also bring us worry and fear that leads us to seek more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what about those who work hard, earn
minimum wage of $7.25 and it is still not enough to take care of their family?</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Rich man was not called a fool because he was
dishonest in how he made his living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was not a fool for having a solid business plan for how he would store what his
surplus grain. In fact, he was a rather savvy man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this parable, as in the American Dream, it
is all about the “I”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man’s conversation
about what to do with his gains was with only himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is about the “we”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, the bible stresses the importance of
relationships; relationships with each other and with God first and foremost.
We need each other and we must always rely on God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">St. Augustine comments that this farmer
was "planning to fill his soul with excessive and unnecessary feasting and
was proudly disregarding all those empty bellies of the poor. He did not
realize that the bellies of the poor were much safer storerooms than his barns.”<span style="background: white; color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This parable, nor anywhere else, does it suggest that
ensuring you have enough is wrong or evidence of spiritual bankruptcy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn this every time we fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flight attendants always remind us to
place our breathing masks on ourselves first before helping another put on
their mask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot give of money in
good faith, if we are struggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
cannot provide advice and encouragement if we are feeling low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This parable speaks to sharing the wealth
that is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beyond </i>what is enough, not
giving away food you would need to feed yourself and your family. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So the question is how much is enough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is having the security of 1 paycheck in the
bank enough for your family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is 3, 5, or
10?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many bathrooms and bedrooms are
really needed in a house?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At what point,
do we trust God will take care of us as long as we continue to do his will? To
demonstrate this trust in God, we have to live it. As it says in James chapter
2; verses 14-26, “Faith without works is dead”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was sharing to my other half, Mike, that
I would be speaking on this parable he related it to the miracle of loaves and
fishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus had only a few loaves and
two small fish and managed to feed 5,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He trusted and relied that God would provide, as he always does, but
Jesus did his part and started to feed the hungry with what he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the miracle only came because Jesus
began to act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People started to
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus and his followers began to
pass out the 5 loaves and 2 small fish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not believe that if Jesus waited for the
bread and fish to multiply, that they would have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to put his faith into action and trust
God would take it from there. We are the hands and feet of the Lord and have
the responsibility to do his will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
the one with the plan but we have to act here, in our own community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praying at home does not feed the hungry;
having a luxury car and having faith things will work out does not aide in it
happening. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worrying and having guilt
does not help either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking action
does.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Family Promise, as I am sure, most of you know,
helps families with children who are temporarily homeless move on to lasting
independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very calculated in
how I say our mission, though it is wordy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are not “homeless families”- they are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">experiencing</i> homelessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are so much more than their current circumstances, as we all
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">families with children</i>, as many still hold the notion that being
homeless can only happen to middle-aged men who perhaps suffer from mental
illness or alcoholism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">temporarily homeless,</i> as all the
families we serve have had stability before in their lives- they have owned
homes, rented apartments, had jobs that covered the bills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They find themselves at Family Promise
because of a series of unfortunate events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They lost the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fire
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A divorce or family
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bills mounted up and they could not stay
afloat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our families at Family Promise are the hungry
bellies that this rich fool could have helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have various needs and there is plenty of ways in which we, as a
faith community, can lift them up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
needs may be basic, a pair of cleats so a youth can continue with sports and
have as normal of a childhood as possible while his family works to get out of
this situation. When a family begins work, they can use help with gas until
their first paycheck when they can take over the cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also tell folks, never underestimate the
power of toilet paper and cleaning products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Think about a time when you moved into a new place- perhaps when married
and you bought your first house, perhaps an apartment right after college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You needed everything from furniture to
cleaning supplies, utilities turned on to your spice starter rack and
condiments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our families are often
starting over without any material possessions. Without fail, every family who
put together a wish list for the holidays last year listed cleaning supplies
and paper products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their lists were not
far-fetched, excessive, or greedy, they were simple lists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, a few of the families said they were
ok, Family Promise had already done so much for them, that they didn’t feel right
putting down any needs or wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about gratitude and feeling
whole without it being contingent upon material wealth.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I want to push the conversation a little bit
deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe, especially in this
house of worship, we know we are called to share our blessings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know the right thing to do is not to harbor
surplus grains and gains especially at the demise of those around us. We are
reminded in Luke chapter 7 that God calls on us “to help the least, the lost
and the last”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know in my heart this
congregation gets that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always know
that we may be on the receiving end of help at some point in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are no different than the families that
come to Family Promise seeking refuge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We may be painfully aware that we or a loved one lives paycheck-to-paycheck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know the challenge we would face, should a
job loss happen or an illness happen. But this may be the same worry that drives
us to “store our surplus gain” as the Parable says. Just in case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we will be ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a visceral reaction the phrase “rainy
day fund”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always thought it was
strange to hinge extra wealth on the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This may also be because I work day-in-and-day-out with families who we
are just trying to build up any sort of fund- rainy day, snowy day or sunny
day…</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So if we push the conversation about sharing our
wealth a little deeper, we can examine “how” to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why
</i>we should share but do we know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i>
to share?</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two key components here, especially as they
relate to Family Promise and any other volunteer opportunities of which you may
participate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thought to leave
you with is: share what is needed by the individual that is in need. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is needed should dictate what we give.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rich fool in this parable had excess of grain and certainly his
community needed that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a family is in
need of employment support, whether it be job leads, a mentor do practice
interviews, a volunteer to drive them around to put in applications, financial
support to go back to school…whatever the job-related need is, clothing or food
will not fill this need. If a family needs prayer, reassurance, a shoulder to
lean on, giving them bus passes will not fill their void.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each one of you has gifts and talents and there
is a need for all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family
Promise is the organizational tool to match it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone is a retired teacher and has time
and we have a teacher studying to pass her licensure exam, poof! A miracle
happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a family is about to move
out and they need $500 to help with first month and security deposit and
someone has the ability to financially give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A miracle happens!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone is
downsizing and has excess furniture and we have a family that is moving out,
bam! Another miracle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are real
examples and I witness the miracles every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been said that a miracle
is when “those who have temporarily more give to those who have temporarily
less.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not matter how much or
how little is given and it is all temporary as this parable reminds us with the
rich fool having his life demanded from him <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that
night. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The second component about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> to share our wealth is that we have a responsibility to check
our motives about giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we truly
doing it because we know God has called on us to aide in his work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we doing it because we know we have
something of worth- items, money, a skill-set, time- and we know we must share
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, the bible reminds us that
we cannot hide our light under a bushel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If our motives our pure, than acknowledgement is not necessary from those
we are empowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, who
doesn’t like to hear thank you and that they are appreciated? Our families that
come through our hospitality network and those who receive our case management
support are gracious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do truly
appreciate what we do for them and the overwhelming majority of them express
this in some form or fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine,
however, being in their shoes- new people every night, new congregation every
week, your life feels exposed, you are trying to take care of your family and
do your part to create stability, and you have never even needed to ask for
help like this… It may be so hard that a mom or a dad, in the particular moment,
may not be able to share a “thank you” because it will bring to light the fact
that they are struggling and in need and someone just helped them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
would certainly take its toll on the spirit and I think we can all appreciate
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I had a situation recently in which I was able to
help a mom and her 3 boys out with housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It involved some advocating on her behalf with other organizations, some
financial support immediately and a lot of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know she was thankful, and as she did get
out of my car, she did say thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I thought for a moment, “Wow! That’s it! A “thank you” and then
walking away”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This mom even acknowledged
the sharing of wealth and I didn’t think it was “enough” acknowledgement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then had a God moment and thought, maybe
she went into the room where she was staying, sat down and started crying tears
of joy privately and thanking God for putting Family Promise in her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where the real credit belongs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God needs the prayerful thanks for using
Family Promise as a tool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not need
her to thank me directly for what I am called to do.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Family Promise always has opportunities to share
your wealth- whether it be time, financial resources or item donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hosting week is coming up and I know there is
a sign-up sheet floating around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
have an hour in the evening to drive the van, great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can help set up the rooms at the
beginning of the week to welcome the families, that is needed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can sleep, you can be an overnight
volunteer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not have time or
will not be in the area, consider making a financial contribution to help a
family get back on their feet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the
efforts of Limestone Presbyterian for the past few years have aided Family
Promise in helping over 80% of our families move into their own housing and
stay there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together we have served over
200 individuals through over 50 families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>THANK YOU. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also the
Promise Tree that will be launched soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is an opportunity to impact families directly and there is no
minimum or maximum amount expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
provided examples of items our families need to show where the funds go. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A quick story and I will end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was speaking to the children of this summer
camp about the impact that they were having on families and children just like
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, of course, stayed away
from the normal explanation of “return on investment” and how every dollar
donated turns into $2.50 of program impact because we leverage volunteers time
and item donations like the cleaning items and personal hygiene items they were
collecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew well enough to be
age-appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked, “Who benefits
from these items?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They remembered that
it was homeless children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I asked,
“What do you think the children will feel when they receive these items?” The
children were spot-on with their answers: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>happy, glad, thankful, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, a little girl, very astute, raised her
hand to add, “I benefitted too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
those exact same feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I am
helping somebody else, I am benefitting because I am happy and thankful too.”</span></div>
Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-47922120037285492582013-07-10T11:39:00.000-04:002013-07-10T11:39:20.519-04:00Welcome Capri Wiggins, Family Promise NNCC's Case Manager!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWogkJSn5XpuXygpHifNvUqgopoE1I83fBdjA3k18AEjdY6JHE3ssM3Ln_UlVV3eB5X74w3KqmsuQTs9YtpZX3lC1bNphQqdYO4_PkukOfWFZTy58dvKp4ubq9piuk1pTZc1XP0D8LPU/s1600/Capri+Wiggins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWogkJSn5XpuXygpHifNvUqgopoE1I83fBdjA3k18AEjdY6JHE3ssM3Ln_UlVV3eB5X74w3KqmsuQTs9YtpZX3lC1bNphQqdYO4_PkukOfWFZTy58dvKp4ubq9piuk1pTZc1XP0D8LPU/s200/Capri+Wiggins.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
We are so thrilled that Capri Wiggins has joined our Family Promise NNCC staff! Ms. Wiggins brings over ten years of experience in the non-profit field as a case manager. She most recently worked as a Behavior Interventionist for a public elementary school and before that as a site supervisor for a local non-profit agency. Capri brings patience and compassion and extensive knowledge of community resources to Family Promise. Capri will be with us full-time, empowering our families as they move toward their goals of lasting independence!Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-63711600022084335012013-05-20T11:40:00.003-04:002013-05-20T11:40:53.137-04:00Family Promise NNCC is hiring a Case Manager!<br />
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<br />
<h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Family Promise
of Northern New Castle County seeks a </span></u></h2>
<h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Full-time Comprehensive
Case Manager </span></u></h2>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>About Family Promise ® </b></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Family Promise of Northern New Castle County helps
homeless families with children move toward lasting independence by providing a
safe place to eat and sleep, intensive case management, life skills training,
support, and encouragement. We do this through a network of congregations that
host the families directly in their houses of worship, staffed by caring
volunteers who have put their faith into action. We have successfully placed
over 80% of our families into their own housing in less than 70 days since we
began services in 2010. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a
housing-first model with wrap-around services continuing for the families for
at least 6mo-1year after they graduate from our network and move into their own
housing. We are growing and adding a Case Manger to our team to provide quality
services and to increase how many families we can serve. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Case
Manager Job Objective </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This organized,
compassionate, and motivated person is responsible for case management with
families in the Family Promise hospitality shelter network and the Graduate
Pathway Programs, maintaining a caseload of at least 35 adults monthly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CM will strive to successfully transition
families from homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CM will assist families in hitting
outcomes such as securing employment, increasing earning potential,
securing/maintaining housing, and securing a trade/certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Activities to meet these outcomes will
include assisting individuals to apply to jobs and applying for interviews;
budgeting and financial coaching; making referrals to agencies for daycare,
counseling and other needed services; leading workshops; and documenting all
case management activities. </span></div>
<br /><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwEPjlSV8Kv-c3F1bHJmSmdjY2s/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here to view the job posting!</a>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-219708661732496762013-04-09T15:12:00.004-04:002013-04-09T15:12:50.962-04:00Family Promise NNCC 2012 Annual Report!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwEPjlSV8Kv-QUg2aHVpUWlUUlE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here for Family Promise NNCC 2012 Annual Report</a></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yODBr6yyws/UWRoBKw-nNI/AAAAAAAAAa8/XYSlmTkSl7c/s1600/coord.+words.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yODBr6yyws/UWRoBKw-nNI/AAAAAAAAAa8/XYSlmTkSl7c/s320/coord.+words.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-87091001560553285962012-11-07T15:17:00.006-05:002012-11-07T15:17:59.115-05:00Family Promise Prayer from our Current Host Congregation: Lutheran Church of the Good ShepherdA beautiful prayer from Pastor Kathy Ierien of Good Shepherd written for Family Promise:<br />
<br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Holy One, you are our
source of hope and life, and your love comes to us where we are. Bless
all those who gather together through the Family Promise network. Be
present for the families who shelter in this place. Support them in their
journey and bring them patience and courage to face each day, confident that
you go with them through the struggles and joys of life. Bless the
relationships that develop in this week to come, that those who were once
strangers may come together as friends. Help us all to continue to work
to fight homelessness in our community and nation, speaking and acting for
justice and peace. Be our shelter, O Lord, this day and through all
that is to come. Amen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are having a great week with the families and are so appreciative to clergy support and thankful for the amazing coordinators and volunteers!</span>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-6663563276140851372012-10-18T13:17:00.003-04:002012-10-18T13:48:10.980-04:00Personal Experiences of Box City 2012<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b>Personal Experiences of Box City 2012</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">>>Cardboard Box City 2012<br /><br />By: Kim M.<br /><br />At Box City last year it rained, but this year it was COLD - 35 degrees! Seventy-five people, one as young as 5 years old, slept out in cardboard boxes to support homeless families. Family Promise of Northern New Castle County held its annual Cardboard Box City fundraiser and participants from fourteen organizations raised almost $10,000 to support the organization. <br /><br />The event included a soup kitchen, speakers, musicians, a worship service, and box decorating contest. Two youth volunteers spoke about why they volunteer for Family Promise. One of them volunteers at her church when the families stay there. The other did his Eagle Scout Project, with 50 volunteers, at the Family Promise Center. Our Executive Director read letters from three recent program graduates, explaining their gratitude for the organization and volunteers. In one mom's words:<br /><br /> <b> "Family Promise has made a wonderful effect on my family and me as far as helping with school, work and a home. We greatly appreciated the welcoming hospitality and accommodations that the congregations provided for us, working so hard to make sure we were comfortable and secure."</b><br /><br /> Another recent graduate, attending with her 8 year old son, spoke about her experience. In explaining why she attended in person, she said, "Carolyn (the Family Promise Executive Director) helped me, so I'm helping her."<br /><br />My nine year old daughter slept in her refrigerator box from 10:30pm-6am, not waking once. She said her hands got a little cold, but they felt warm to me. I however am in my 40's and have fibromyalgia. I didn't sleep all night. Every inch of my being was freezing, despite the sweatshirt, winter coat, hat, gloves and 5 blankets. My experience lead me to think about homeless individuals who have medical issues and the cold may effect them more dramatically. Also, Code Purple's are generally called at 20 degrees - I'm sure the difference between 35 degrees and 20 degrees is significant! <b>My compassion for those going through a rough patch that has left them homeless has only increased through this experience.</b></span><br />
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Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-8288600051598125092012-08-14T13:01:00.000-04:002012-08-14T13:01:38.691-04:00Congregation Beth Emeth joins FPNNCC!Congregation Beth Emeth joins Family Promise of Northern New Castle County as a support Congregation! They will be participating in a group that will start hosting our families experiencing homelessness in January, 2013. Let's provide them a warm welcome!<br />
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<a href="http://www.bethemethde.org/" target="_blank">Congregation Beth Emeth</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="http://www.bethemethde.org/_storage/Pages/1025/BethEmethDE_crown.gif" src="http://www.bethemethde.org/_storage/Pages/1025/BethEmethDE_crown.gif" />Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-37322191797514100122012-03-03T17:04:00.000-05:002012-03-03T17:04:00.862-05:00Please support our sponsors!<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Please support these sponsoring businesses and merchants who graciously provided goods and services for our auction on February 25. Thank you!!</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Brew HaHa!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Build-A-Bear</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Caffé Gelato</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Corrective Chiropractic</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Crossroads Restaurant</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Curves</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Empowered Yoga</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Susan Graves Fentzloff, jewelry</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristin Grant, jewelry</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Hockessin Athletic Club</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Home Grown Café</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Homeowners Helping Hands</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Men’s Wearhouse</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Moore Brothers Wine Company</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Philadelphia Phillies</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pike Creek Roasterie</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Prestige Paper and Supply Company</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rocco Automotive Service</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Carrie Saathoff, Silpada Designs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Shanley’s Irish Imports</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Vince’s Sports Center</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Wilmington Blue Rocks</span></div>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-40003067211216214582012-03-03T17:01:00.000-05:002012-03-03T17:01:36.245-05:00Annual Luncheon and Silent Auction: Thank you!Thank You for participating in our Annual Luncheon and Silent Auction on February 25th. Over 130 people attended and learned how Family Promise has improved the lives of local homeless families in its second year of operation. We hope you found the speakers and videos to be inspiring. We appreciate your support - financial and your time. This ministry wouldn't be possible without you!<br />
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Pictures from our Annual Luncheon are shown below.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBeNQg-KSUSj5RCZprkQJsLiaf7t0ynmlPEF2fUXcOJABjzWS9rnsbvb13WSwxMqsun-Zlvwb4a8sqdpVgwXeeSvSH1fnMwXDhRLWC5ol3vaf2LgvqZy3xe1WC56rZzezKhFSjsCloK0/s1600/IMG_4515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBeNQg-KSUSj5RCZprkQJsLiaf7t0ynmlPEF2fUXcOJABjzWS9rnsbvb13WSwxMqsun-Zlvwb4a8sqdpVgwXeeSvSH1fnMwXDhRLWC5ol3vaf2LgvqZy3xe1WC56rZzezKhFSjsCloK0/s320/IMG_4515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-48860585644763290042012-02-28T22:09:00.000-05:002012-02-28T22:09:47.540-05:00Cheryl Christiansen joins Family Promise NNCC as Program Assistant!Cheryl Christiansen joins Family Promise as the Program Assistant! Most recently, she served as the Director of Volunteer Services for The Elizabeth House Family Life Center, where she developed and managed a successful volunteer program. She is passionate about her work in the community, and during the last twenty years has held executive board and volunteer positions for many non-profit organizations in Delaware. Cheryl earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Marketing emphasis, which led to various operations management, sales and consulting roles in the for-profit sector.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cheryl looks forward to engaging with the community as she carries out the mission of Family Promise. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the terrific volunteers in the congregations, who help make Family Promise successful. Helping families reach the goal of independent living is at the top of her list! <br />
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Cheryl will be working Monday mornings, Wednesday and Thursdays. Reach out and welcome her with the hospitality for which Family Promise NNCC is known! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p_tVQfNW785raAB7bhUNaqwVWL3lz0B3wLA4Q6t2naJY9jcRTRS0hIz9GP6VMbP71H2Qak5H7sEnbHWoIptda1lV7zfMiNqyWXYtpL8afdlAUNcfSTzvsiYolNPefgEktU96hVLkCNQ/s1600/Cheryl+Christiansen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p_tVQfNW785raAB7bhUNaqwVWL3lz0B3wLA4Q6t2naJY9jcRTRS0hIz9GP6VMbP71H2Qak5H7sEnbHWoIptda1lV7zfMiNqyWXYtpL8afdlAUNcfSTzvsiYolNPefgEktU96hVLkCNQ/s200/Cheryl+Christiansen.jpg" width="150" /></a></div></div>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-81869907844628065132012-02-28T14:58:00.001-05:002012-02-28T14:58:58.390-05:00January & February Donations AppreciationThanks to all of the individuals and organizations that donated to Family Promise in January & February - you are making a difference for homeless children and families in Northern New Castle County! Here is a list of the organizations that contributed:<br />
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Aldersgate United Methodist Church <br />
Chippey AUM Church<br />
Grace Lutheran Church<br />
Ebenezer United Methodist Church <br />
Hockessin Baptist Church<br />
Hockessin United Methodist Church <br />
Kingswood United Methodist Church<br />
Marshallton United Methodist Church<br />
New Castle County <br />
New Castle Presbytery Speer Fund <br />
Rivercross Fellowship<br />
St. James Mill Creek Episcopal Church<br />
St. Philip's Lutheran Church<br />
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd<br />
Trinity Community Church<br />
Wells Fargo Advisors LLC<br />
Westminster Presbyterian Church <br />
White Clay Creek Presbyterian ChurchFamily Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-74175439203695082602012-01-24T13:23:00.000-05:002012-01-24T13:23:13.068-05:00January 2012 Family Promise NewsletterYou can access our January 2012 Newsletter at the following link:<br />
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<a href="http://www.familypromisede.org/files/Family%20Promise%20NNCC%20Newsletter%20Jan%202012.pdf" target="_blank">Family Promise NNCC Newsletter Jan 2012.pdf</a><br />
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This newsletter is in PDF form, and suitable for printing/use in church bulletins.<br />
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Thanks you again for your support of homeless children and families in Northern New Castle County!Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-88230785634829515072012-01-24T08:46:00.001-05:002012-01-24T08:47:01.562-05:00We extend our deepest gratitude for your support in 2011!<ul><li><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;"></span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;">Merci” to supporters of our Annual Appeal. The financial contributions support our families to achieve lasting independence through our hospitality network and case management services.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;">“Gracias” to those who donated their time and services! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 118%;">Interested in reaping the reward of volunteering through our Day Center? Contact us for more info!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 118%;"> info@familypromisede.org.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;"></span></li>
</ul><ul><li> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;">“Mahalo” to all the in-kind donations! Our families received a new washer machine at the Day Center, one family received a donated car and another received much needed brake repairs. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;"></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 118%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep the support coming!</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;">Our families are blessed because of your hospitality, help and hope!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKvwxXfJDz0/Tx62S62GeiI/AAAAAAAAAYs/F6go1-uSalA/s1600/FP+Center+Families.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKvwxXfJDz0/Tx62S62GeiI/AAAAAAAAAYs/F6go1-uSalA/s320/FP+Center+Families.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-59941231627763814492012-01-24T08:43:00.002-05:002012-01-24T08:44:21.461-05:00Action! Action! Read all about it! Family Promise on Action News!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfPsqSJ-7Ys/Tx61ey0EzkI/AAAAAAAAAYk/s6gfGTCsmuo/s1600/Action+News+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfPsqSJ-7Ys/Tx61ey0EzkI/AAAAAAAAAYk/s6gfGTCsmuo/s320/Action+News+Picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;">Channel 6 ABC News visited us! Our affiliate was one of five nationally to receive 200 comforters to give to a homeless child. This was part of their </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 118%;">Buy One , Give One </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;">campaign which has been extended through March! For every comforter purchased, one will be donated to Family Promise. Enter BOGO20 at www.thecompanystore.com and save 20%! We shared our blessings and gave comforters to Ministry of Caring, YWCA and Salvation Army!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 118%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-88681050963675802682012-01-24T08:38:00.002-05:002012-01-24T08:39:29.804-05:00Mission Milestones! In 2011...<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">80% of our families transitioned onto permanent or transitional housing! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">18 families served through our network and graduate services; 26 adults and 30 children.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Employment includes Christina School District, Wells Fargo, ManorCare, Christiana Hospital, WalMart and LaZBoy!</span></li>
</ul>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-20859150488991488562012-01-24T08:33:00.004-05:002012-01-24T09:55:41.199-05:00Celebrate with us…Two Years of Promises kept!<pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><b>2nd Annual Luncheon & Silent Auction </b></span></pre><pre></pre><pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><b>When:</b> </span></pre><pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Saturday, February 25th, 2012<b> </b></span></pre><pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">11:00am - 2:00pm</span></pre><pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><b> </b></span></pre><pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Where:</b> </span></pre><pre style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Westminster Presbyterian Church</span></pre><pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">1502 W. 13th St.</span></pre><pre><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Wilmington, DE 19806</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></pre><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Tickets are $20 and you can get them in a few ways: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">- visit our website, www.familypromisede.org</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">- email us at </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:events@familypromisede.org">events@familypromisede.org</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">- or mail a check to 2104 St. James Church Road Wilmington, DE 19808</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-18377087644566113542011-12-28T07:21:00.001-05:002011-12-28T07:22:07.087-05:00November & December Donations AppreciationThanks to all of the individuals and organizations that donated to Family Promise in November & December - you are making a difference for homeless children and families in Northern New Castle County! Here is a list of the organizations that contributed:<br />
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Artisans' Bank<br />
DuPont <br />
Fidelity<br />
Hockessin United Methodist Church <br />
Limestone Presbyterian Church<br />
Marshallton United Methodist Church <br />
Presbyterian Church of the Covenant <br />
St. Philip's Lutheran Church<br />
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd <br />
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans <br />
Trinity Community Church <br />
White Clay Creek Presbyterian ChurchFamily Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-83287721622186784382011-11-19T08:25:00.002-05:002011-12-05T12:41:25.225-05:00Open House & Opus One<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Meet the New Executive Director</b><br />
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You're invited to a Holiday Open House to meet Carolyn Gordon, our new Executive Director. If you haven't been to the Family Promise Center before you can also take a tour. Punch and cookies will be provided! Please come welcome Carolyn to the family!<br />
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<b>WHEN: </b>Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm<br />
<b>WHERE: </b>The Family Promise Center - 2104 St. James Church Road, Wilmington<br />
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<b>Opus One Concert</b><br />
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After the Open House, consider attending the Opus One concert at St. James Episcopal Church - right next door to the Family Promise Center! It's recommended that you purchase tickets in advance. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Family Promise. Thank you, St. James! <a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FamilyPromiseofNorth/d5432c041e/TEST/ff45c00ab7/utm_content=Glasscock&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Here%20are%20all%20the%20details%21&utm_campaign=Holiday%20Announcements%2C%20Open%20House%2C%20New%20Congregation%21" target="_blank">Here are all the details!</a></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FamilyPromiseofNorth/d5432c041e/TEST/ff45c00ab7/utm_content=Glasscock&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Here%20are%20all%20the%20details%21&utm_campaign=Holiday%20Announcements%2C%20Open%20House%2C%20New%20Congregation%21" target="_blank">Opus One Christmas 2011 Concert</a></span></span></div>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-87699428184113737922011-11-19T08:24:00.001-05:002011-11-19T08:24:22.954-05:00A Musical Christmas Story<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">“Sing Joy,” a musical rendition of the Christmas story using contemporary music selections, will be presented on Sunday, December 18, at 7:00pm at White Clay Creek Church, 15 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark. The program is free and open to all. A love offering will be taken for Family Promise, a local ministry to homeless families. Handicapped accessible. Contact the Church Office at (302) 737-2100 with questions.</span></span>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1672102017287716224.post-46643622590770750252011-11-19T08:23:00.001-05:002011-11-19T08:23:55.617-05:00New Congregation!<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">We welcome Skyline United Methodist Church to the Family Promise network! In the words of congregational coordinator Vicki Gordon-Stith:<br />
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<span style="color: black;"> <span>"Skyline takes great joy in joining the Family Promise team! As a congregation, we emphasize Radical Hospitality and Vital Spirituality and hosting families in our facilities allows us to live that radical hospitality in a way that we trust will nurture us spiritually. We look forward to learning the process and growing in faith through this life-giving mission."</span> </span></span></span>Family Promise of Northern New Castle Countyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170712865157400556noreply@blogger.com1