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Running at Capacity. Much Need
Remains.
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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.
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Flourishing in Unconventional
Stability.
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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.
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Momentum Grows as the Year Ends
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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
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In Need of Team? We Need YOU
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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:
- 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:
- 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
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2017 Full of Fun & Excitement
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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?
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