OUR ORGANIZATION’S HISTORY
OUR
FOUNDER
Karen Olson was rushing to a business meeting when she passed a woman experiencing homelessness on the street. On impulse, Karen bought her a sandwich. The woman, Millie, accepted the sandwich but asked for something more—a chance to be heard. Karen stayed with Millie and listened. What she heard made her understand that homelessness brought profound feelings of diminished self-worth and disconnection from society. Soon after, Karen and her two sons began delivering lunches to people experiencing homelessness on the streets of New York.
THE FIRST
NETWORK
When Karen learned that homelessness was affecting families right in her own community in New Jersey, she knew she had to do something. But this was much more than giving sandwiches. She brought together people in need and people who wanted to help. Existing community resources could provide shelter, meals, and housing. Volunteers could use their skills, knowledge, and compassion to help their neighbors experiencing homelessness find employment, reconnect with society, and restore their dignity. She approached the religious community. Congregations offered hospitality space within their buildings. The YMCA provided showers and a family Day Center. A car dealer discounted a van. The first Interfaith Hospitality Network opened on October 27, 1986.
GOING
NATIONAL
As word spread, more New Jersey congregations formed a second network. Other congregations were inspired to develop similar programs. In 1988, we formed the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to bring the program nationwide. In addition to shelter, meals, housing, and job-seeking support, our Affiliates began developing programs for transitional housing, childcare, and homelessness prevention. Nationally, we added programs like Just Neighbors and Family Mentoring.
POINT OF LIGHT
RECIPIENT
In 1992, Family Promise was honored to receive one of 21 Points of Light awards, out of a field of more than 4,500 nominees, by President and Barbara Bush, signifying Family Promise as one of the top volunteer agencies in the country. The award recognizes how one neighbor can help another, and calls upon the nation to take action in service to our fellow citizens.
WE BECOME
FAMILY PROMISE
In 2003, we changed our name from the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to Family Promise, reflecting our broad range of programs and our vision of ending family homelessness. The name refers to the promise, in the sense of commitment, which communities make to families in need. But it also refers to the promise, the potential, inherent in every family.
FOUR STAR
CHARITY RATING
Family Promise received the first in its current run of nine consecutive 4-star ratings, demonstrating its commitment to effective governance, careful use of resources, and transparency. Despite a relatively small budget, Family Promise is able to parlay those assets and the commitment of its volunteers into the leading national response to family homelessness. We also took time in 2013. to celebrate 25 years of changing lives and creating community.
CONTINUED
EXPANSION
With the issue of family homelessness remaining at crisis levels, Family Promise engaged in a strategic plan to change the future for 1,000,000 children by 2030. As part of the plan, we committed ourselves to developing more resources and partnerships and set a focus on expanding the capability and capacity of Affiliates. The number of Affiliates serving more than 500 people a year has more than quadrupled over the past decade and the national network is serving nearly 250,000 people a year and engaging tens of thousands of volunteers nationwide.
FAMILY PROMISE
OF CLEAR CREEK
Family Promise of Clear Creek (FPCC) first launched in 2012 thanks to a group of pastors who wanted to address the increasing needs in their communities. Father Jim Liberatore with the St. Andrews Episcopal Church spearheaded this effort and Family Promise of Clear Creek was formed. After a two-year pause in providing services in 2014-2015, FPCC began operating again in late 2016 under a new board and leadership. Since then we’ve served families continuously in the Greater Clear Lake area. And we are one of four affiliates in the Houston/Gulf Coast Area.
FAMILY PROMISE
OF CLEAR CREEK
Family Promise of Clear Creek (FPCC) first launched in 2012 thanks to a group of pastors who wanted to address the increasing needs in their communities. Father Jim Liberatore with the St. Andrews Episcopal Church spearheaded this effort and Family Promise of Clear Creek was formed. After a two-year pause in providing services in 2014-2015, FPCC began operating again in late 2016 under a new board and leadership. Since then we’ve served families continuously in the Greater Clear Lake area. And we are one of four affiliates in the Houston/Gulf Coast Area.