Westminster BBQ for Family Promise

Westminster Presbyterian is hosting this week, and held a BBQ at the Family Promise center for our families.  It was a great time by all!  (note that one of the pictures is intentionally taken to lower resolution to protect privacy of our clients).

Cathy Carpenito Memorial Day Dedication

It is fitting that a memorial to Cathy Carpenito was held by Westminster Presbyterian on May 31st, 2010, Memorial Day. Show in the picture are a number of friends of Cathy's in addition to her sister Anne Aleman. More pictures are available in high resolution at flickr.

Westminster Presbyterian supporting Family Promise

Here is a video of Rev Anne Ledbetter and Theo Krapels of Westminster Presbyterian talking about their involvement and contributions to Family Promise. We are very appreciative of Westminster Presbyterian's support for Family Promise!

Aldersgate Memorial Weekend BBQ

We visited Aldersgate UMC, hosting this week that slides into the Memorial Day weekend. We had a wonderful time, and it was great to meet with a number of volunteers who commented how well the w eek has gone. The biggest problem? So much good food! The effort was nicely organized, led by congregational coordinator Judy Evans shown in an interview on video. The pictures of various scenes include: Volunteers Bill, TC, Sarah with Judy before dinner; Bill Evans working at the grill; Pastor Beverly Lewis with husband Glenn and Judy in the background; Volunteers from Aldersgate sitting with Kathy Glasscock after a great dinner. Thanks to the Aldersgate for providing our clients with such a wonderful opportunity to see people living out their faith! (hint: click on the picture to see a larger version)

Progress: One Step at a Time

One of our families has successfully secured employment! After weeks of using the Family Promise center, WSFS-donated computers, and other resources to apply for multiple jobs (per FP guidelines), our client successfully obtained employment. Our executive director, Tamikah Gowans, reviewed resumes and provided encouragement during regular case management sessions. "We are excited! Our client is on her way to a great start to securing stable long-term housing for her and her family." reported Tamikah in an update. In addition, one of our families has made great progress is securing permanent housing, and another client has a very promising job interview this coming week (be praying for her!).

Volunteer Voice: Denise Lawton

Family Promise would not exist if it were not for the hundreds of volunteers - both individuals, families, and congregations - that make it possible to serve our guests each week.

Denise Lawton sat down with us recently to share her views about working with Family Promise and what it means to her and her family - Denise is part of the team at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

FP Coordinators Meeting May 18th 2010

Board member Kymm Hockman and Exec Director Tamikah led a meeting of all of the church congregational coordinators. It was a great meeting, sharing best practices (what works, what doesn't work well), learning from each other and encouraging each other. Here are some quotes Kymm captured from the meeting:

"Our volunteers say they are getting more out of it than they're giving."

"We tell them that the first night they are our guests. The next, they are family. We treat them like family."

"We are a small, aging church, yet we still got 63 people involved! Many of these volunteers are people who had not been otherwise active."

"We've formed some new fellowships. Spending the night in a church together tends to draw people closer."

"Some in our community have shared that 'it's about time we opened up like this to our community'! "

Opus One Concert for Family Promise

Did you know that our St. James Mill Creek clergy member Rev. Bimbi has a second calling? He is a member of the musical group Opus One! Here he is shown playing the banjo (well...sort of). Also shown is Rev. Bimbi taking a lead role for one of the songs. He really has a great voice - and it was a great concert in a beautiful, historic church. Here's a small sample of the concert.

Family Promise May 16 2010

The back yard of our Family Promise Center is getting a major upgrade. Tom Guider of Hockessin UMC is spending a tremendous amount of time clearing out the bushes and will be installing a fence for the safety our our younger children (there is a large drop at the edge of our property). We still need a playset for our younger children. Let us know if you can help!

Shown by our van is Board member Kymm Hockman greeting Keith Evans of St. Mark's UMC as he picks up our families to take them to St. Mark's, which is beginning it's second host week! (Kymm was volunteering to staff the FP Center over the weekend)

Also shown is Board member Merrie Bailey showing the Family Promise center to interested volunteers from White Clay Creek Presbyterian and Cornerstone UMC.

Family Promise Breakfast May 2010

Thanks to everyone that attended our May 2010 Breakfast fundraiser, and especially to Kathy Dematties for all of her efforts to organize this! See full set of high res pictures here. Over 90 people from many congregations showed up on a beautiful Saturday morning to enjoy the company and support homeless families. Thank you!

Welcome to the new blog!

This has been an unbelievable couple of months - from being named Executive Director of the new Family Promise organization in Delaware to holding our Grand Opening in March to immediately serving families here in New Castle County.

Today we're starting this new blog as a place for us to communicate with everyone - and we welcome your thoughts and feedback.

Together, we can make a real difference in this area!

Here's a video from the Grand Opening, you can click here for more video coverage and great photos.