Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc. Newsletter

Running at Capacity. Much Need Remains. Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc., has been very busy over the past few weeks. From searching for a driver & case manager to join our staff, to interviewing and admitting families into the program, there has been plenty of work to be done.   We are pleased to announce, however, that for the past two weeks, we have been operating at 90% capacity. Designed to serve four families, up to 14 individuals, we are now serving thirteen individuals that make up three families. The blessing has certainly been ours as we have seen these families begin to put their lives back in order, but we are saddened that there are many families we have had to turn away.   Just yesterday, we received a call from a family of six, comprised of three generations, that are living in an extended stay – two full beds, a bathroom, and a small kitchenette. We are certainly proud to be doing what we can, but we need more host congregations to better meet the needs in our county. No one should feel hopeless and without a place to be on Christmas day.   Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers, and please speak to your congregations about supporting and/or hosting homeless families. There are available dates in 2017 schedule that need to be filled. Flourishing in Unconventional Stability. The Smith family came to Family Promise in a moment of true crisis. After struggling to make ends meet and budget the little money that was coming in, the family found themselves evicted with all of their belongings strewn outside their apartment. Fortunately, Family Promise was able to step in to support this family. Once their belongings were gathered and secured in storage, the family was greeted with open arms to their first host night at a church. Since the joining the program the Smith family has begun to change counter-productive behaviors and mindsets that were keeping them in a cycle of dependence on others. We are proud of the Smith family and the accomplishments they have made. Mom has opened her very first savings account – and is saving! Her teenager, who was struggling in school, recently texted her this message: “Mom! I got a 93 on my Algebra exam!”, and is now passing all classes. Ms. Smith’s younger child had been having behavioral problems at school. After a month in our program, the teacher had this to say: “Since joining the Family Promise program, Ms. Smith’s child’s demeaner has changed – she seems happy and we have had no issues.” What may seem rather unsettling to many people– moving from church to church each week – is proving to be rather stable and empowering to our families. We are beyond grateful for the support of our network of congregations who open their doors, love these families, and create an atmosphere that allows our families to flourish.   Momentum Grows as the Year Ends If you are reading this newsletter, it is no surprise to you that there exists in our county many people who struggle to provide for their basic needs. There are many single parent families who are working hard and diligently, but find it difficult to stay afloat. Some families have experienced job loss, or unexpected medical emergencies, that have snow balled into barriers too great to overcome on their own. Still there are others, who simply have not been given the tools needed to live and thrive in our county. While it may be obvious to you and I that these problems exist, there are many in our county who are unable to see the need around us. With our great schools, growing economy, and increasing popularity as a place to live, it is easy to lose sight of the less fortunate in our own backyards. Our mission at Family Promise is to empower homeless families and to also raise awareness of their plight. To that end, we launched our “Brought 2 Light – In Hope. In Awareness.”, year-end giving campaign. Our goal is to raise funds that will help us bring families hope, but to also raise awareness in our county of the needs these precious families face daily. We are thrilled to report that since November 17th our community has raised over $16,000! And, our Facebook posts have reached over 2000 people! This is great success and momentum is building, but we need YOUR help. Please like and share our Brought 2 Light posts so that our county’s homeless families are no longer forgotten In Need of Team? We Need YOU With such a large number of families in need, Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc., is looking to build its team to more effectively serve our county’s homeless families, and better lead the county in providing empowering aid to those affected by homelessness. To do this, the Family Promise Board of Trustees and Director are searching for more volunteers and local professionals to help drive the organization forward, and also additional congregations/groups to support and/or host homeless families. Community Meeting -  come hear about Family Promise plans & needs, and see how you can get involved. January 17th | 7:00 pm | Christ the King Lutheran Church - Cumming Light Refreshments will be provided Board Members – Family Promise is actively searching for community members to serve on the board of trustees Criteria: Passionate about serving Forsyth’s homeless Willingness to advocate on behalf of the homeless and Family Promise A background/experience in one or more of the following areas preferred: Business Fund/Resource Development Public Relations and/or Marketing Construction/Property Maintenance Social Work/Human Services Human Resources Medical Care Legal Services Non-profit management/leadership (previous service on non-profit boards) Commitment: Yearly meaningful financial contribution Attendance at monthly board meetings Assist with and actively engage in fund development activities Service on a committee (bi-monthly to monthly committee meetings) Interested? Contact: Maureen Wareham (ssndmdw@aol.com) Lucille ‘Lu’ Leeds (luleeds@comcast.net) Committee Members – Want to help, but cannot commit to board service? Consider joining a committee. Current Committees: Public Relations Finance Transportation Personnel Fund/Resource Development Affiliate Relations (Host/Support Congregation acquisition) Interested? Contact: Maureen Wareham (ssndmdw@aol.com) Lucille ‘Lu’ Leeds (luleeds@comcast.net) Support & Host Churches – with so much need in our county, please consider having your congregation/group be a host site for our homeless families. If interested or would like more information, please contact: Jacob@FPFOrsyth.org or  Amy Gamez at agamez@Forsyth.k12.ga.us 2017 Full of Fun & Excitement In an effort to raise the needed funds to serve homeless families in Forsyth County, Family Promise, together with various friends and corporations, will be putting on 3 events that promise to be fun and inspiring. Sounds of A Mediterranean Spring benefit concert featuring the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra, with guests the ‘Atlanta Guitar Trio’ and pianist Dawn Dalangin Hawk. Title Sponsor: Advanced Disposal Works will include: Pietro Mascagni’s, “Cavalleria Rusticana – Intermezzo Antonio Vivaldi’s, “Guitar Concerto for 3” featuring the Atlanta Guitar Trio Camille Saint-Saëns’, “Piano Concert No. 2 in G minor Mvt. 1”, featuring pianist Dawn Dalangin Hawk March 18th | 7:00 pm | Alpharetta First United Methodist Church Tickets $20 – will be available in January VIP Tickets will also be available. More info to come. Other sponsorship opportunities available. For more info: Jacob@FPForsyth.org | 678-476-4657 1st Annual Elite Roofing & Restoration Charity Golf Tournament Title Sponsor: Elite Roofing & Restoration May 13th | The Manor Golf & Country Club Registration - $200 per team Other sponsorship opportunities available. For more info: Jacob@FPForsyth.org | 678-476-4657 3rd Annual Sounds of Sawnee Concert Band Benefit Concet Title Sponsor: TBD Date & Venue: TBD 3rd Annual Bed Race & Festival, and 5K Race Title Sponsor: TBD October 2017 More info to come  Want to Host a Fundraiser and add to the fun? Contact: Jacob@FPForsyth.org | 678-476-4657 DONATE Volunteer Send Me Info Copyright © 2016 Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have been on our email list for sometime. To continue to receive updates and news about Family Promise of Forsyth County Inc., please follow the instructions that follow. Our mailing address is: Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc PO Box 3305 Cumming, GA 30028 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Prayer Request & Reminder

From Michael:

We got word this morning that Anne's aunt Mary Boeger passed away in PA.Plans for her service are still being made .Please pray for the family and our safe travels north on Christmas day.

Reminder:

If you want to remember a passed loved one or honor a living person please bring your own candle to burn during our Christmas Eve service. There will be a table set for this use.

The service will begin at 7 pm on Christmas Eve night. Bring a friend or family member and join us in the celebration of Christ's birth. We hope to see everyone there.

From Family Haven

December 11, 2016

Hello Family Promise coordinators and volunteers:

Many of you have heard from our Executive Director, Jacob Granados, regarding our need for volunteers to help out at our day center at The Place on the week-ends. To help Jacob and the Family Promise team, I have agreed to recruit and coordinate the week-end volunteers.

As Jacob has related, these volunteers would be a presence in the building in case of an emergency and assist as needed on Saturdays and Sundays between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. Most of the time slots are for two hours, eg. 9:30 - 11:30 am. I believe that some folks have been reluctant to sign up because they find it difficult to go into an unfamiliar situation by themselves; so we are encouraging you to bring along a friend.

The first question generally asked by volunteers, “What am I going to do for two hours with families and children I don’t know?” You can be as involved with the families as you or they would like — such as playing games, craft projects or just listening; or not involved — such as reading a book, working on small office projects - stuffing envelopes, filing, etc.

For the week-end of December 10 and 11, we only have one volunteer signed up on Saturday, December 10. And through the end of December, all time slots need to be filled.

I know this is a busy time of the year for all of us. I pray you can find a couple of hours between now and the end of the year to give back to families who have lost most of their material possessions and much of their dignity. It takes a lot of courage to enter the Family Promise program. Let’s give them a hand up.

If you are able and interested please sign up at the following link:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090F4EABA92EAAF49-weekend

All volunteers will have a background check provided by Family Promise and will be provided an orientation by a member of the Family Promise Board.

Many blessings this Christmas season,

Barbara B. Barnett

Blessing Baskets

Don't forget to bring your 2 dozen cookies and/or candies and/or snack mix to Judy Ware's office located at First Baptist Church here in Cumming at 10:00 am. If you are facing the church, her office is located in the side building to the right of the church. It is around in the back of the building.

Hope to see you there!

Arrangements for Mary Ford Barron

Obituary for Mary Ford Barron

Mary Ann Ford Barron, age 55 of Baldwin, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Born in Fulton County on February 22, 1961, she was a daughter of William E. “Bill” Ford, Sr. and Betty Holden Ford. Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cornelia. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Judge & Mrs. Frank A. Holden and Alan & Mary Joyce Ford.
Surviving are daughter and fiancée, Brooke Barron and John Paul Erickson of Rome; son and daughter-in-law, Michael & Daphnie Barron of Gainesville; brother, Rev. William E. “Bill” Ford, Jr. of Cornelia; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ginger & Don McAllister of Mt. Airy and Grace & Gary Hulsey of Cornelia; grandchildren, William Barron, Lillian VanTassel, and Brady VanTassel; good and faithful friend, Jeff Sosebee.
A Memorial Service is planned for 3 pm Monday, December 5, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cornelia with Rev. Bill Ford, Jr. and Rev. Jason Edwards officiating. All family and friends are requested to meet at the church by 2:30 pm on Monday. A reception for the family and friends will immediately follow the service in the church fellowship hall.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home (706-778-8668) and Habersham Crematory both of Cornelia are in charge of arrangements. 

http://www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com/book-of-memories/2782074/Ford%20Barron-Mary/obituary.php

Use the link above to post condolences, etc. online to the family. Bill is planning on being with us this Sunday and looks forward to seeing us. It's been a hard couple of weeks.

Bill's sister

Bill's sister, Mary, passed away this afternoon at approximately 4:00 pm. He was with her and whispering in her ear when she took her last breath.

Arrangements will be shared later when they become available.

Immediate prayer need

Ben just got a text from Bill stating: "Respiratory failure. Shutting down." Please take a moment to pray for Mary and the family. Most of us have lived through similar traumas and know how difficult it can be. Praying is the best thing we can do for them now.

Thanks.