Family Promise Prayer from our Current Host Congregation: Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

A beautiful prayer from Pastor Kathy Ierien of Good Shepherd written for Family Promise:


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. 

We are having a great week with the families and are so appreciative to clergy support and thankful for the amazing coordinators and volunteers!

Personal Experiences of Box City 2012

Personal Experiences of Box City 2012

                                                  

>>Cardboard Box City 2012

By: Kim M.

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.

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:

            "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."

   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."

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!  My compassion for those going through a rough patch that has left them homeless has only increased through this experience.

Congregation 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!

Congregation Beth Emeth

Please support our sponsors!

Please support these sponsoring businesses and merchants who graciously provided goods and services for our auction on February 25.  Thank you!!

Brew HaHa!

Build-A-Bear

Caffé Gelato

Corrective Chiropractic

Crossroads Restaurant

Curves

Empowered Yoga

Susan Graves Fentzloff, jewelry

Kristin Grant, jewelry

Hockessin Athletic Club

Home Grown Café

Homeowners Helping Hands

Men’s Wearhouse

Moore Brothers Wine Company

Philadelphia Phillies

Pike Creek Roasterie

Prestige Paper and Supply Company

Rocco Automotive Service

Carrie Saathoff, Silpada Designs

Shanley’s Irish Imports

Vince’s Sports Center

Wilmington Blue Rocks

Annual 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!

Pictures from our Annual Luncheon are shown below.

Cheryl 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.

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!  

Cheryl will be working Monday mornings, Wednesday and Thursdays.  Reach out and welcome her with the hospitality for which Family Promise NNCC is known! 

January & February Donations Appreciation

Thanks 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:

Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Chippey AUM Church
Grace Lutheran Church
Ebenezer United Methodist Church
Hockessin Baptist Church
Hockessin United Methodist Church
Kingswood United Methodist Church
Marshallton United Methodist Church
New Castle County
New Castle Presbytery Speer Fund
Rivercross Fellowship
St. James Mill Creek Episcopal Church
St. Philip's Lutheran Church
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Trinity Community Church
Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
Westminster Presbyterian Church
White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church

January 2012 Family Promise Newsletter

You can access our January 2012 Newsletter at the following link:

Family Promise NNCC Newsletter Jan 2012.pdf

This newsletter is in PDF form, and suitable for printing/use in church bulletins.

Thanks you again for your support of homeless children and families in Northern New Castle County!

We extend our deepest gratitude for your support in 2011!

• 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.

• “Gracias” to those who donated their time and services!  Interested in reaping the reward of volunteering through our Day Center? Contact us for more info! info@familypromisede.org.

• “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.  

Keep the support coming!

Our  families are blessed because of your hospitality, help and hope!

Action! Action! Read all about it! Family Promise on Action News!

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 Buy One , Give One 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!

Mission Milestones! In 2011...

• 80% of our families transitioned onto permanent or transitional housing!
• 18 families served through our network and graduate services; 26 adults and 30 children.
• Employment includes Christina School District, Wells Fargo, ManorCare, Christiana Hospital, WalMart and LaZBoy!

Celebrate with us…Two Years of Promises kept!

2nd Annual Luncheon & Silent Auction 

When: 

Saturday, February 25th, 2012 

11:00am - 2:00pm

Where: 

Westminster Presbyterian Church

1502 W. 13th St.

Wilmington, DE 19806

Tickets are $20 and you can get them in a few ways: 

- visit our website, www.familypromisede.org

- email us at events@familypromisede.org, 

- or mail a check to 2104 St. James Church Road Wilmington, DE 19808