Family Promise of Southern Delaware seeks support
Family Promise of Southern Delaware Inc. has been established for the Lewes-Rehoboth area as an affiliate of Family Promise National.
Its objectives are to support families with children who are in housing distress. When operational, the local affiliate will provide shelter, services and support year-round, with the goal that instances of family homelessness will be rare, brief and nonrecurring.
Family Promise National, based in Summit, N.J., comprises over 200 affiliates nationwide. Established in 1987, Family Promise has established best practices for supporting families with children in housing distress, from eviction-prevention strategies, to shelter and hospitality while a family is homeless, to stabilization services in order to prevent a future recurrence of homelessness. The only other affiliate in Delaware, Family Promise of Northern New Castle County, has been in operation since 2010.
A core team of interested and experienced individuals is nurturing the affiliate’s development. Organizers are looking to establish commitments from faith organizations and secular groups that want to help families in need. Thus far, several congregations have expressed interest.
The need is great. Cape Henlopen School District started the school year with 102 students from 57 families that were homeless. During this past winter, Immanuel Shelter served five families with 16 children. During the summer, these families were doubled up with friends or sleeping in their cars.
Family Promise Northeast Regional Director Carolyn Gordon has been advising the core team since the initial community meetings were held in 2019. She said, “Too many children and their families are doubled up, sleeping in motels or in other places not meant as permanent housing. As a former Delaware resident, I’m excited this committed team is launching an affiliate to help prevent and end family homelessness in southern Delaware.”
Family Promise National has designated Sunday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 25 as Family Promise Giving Week. Affiliates across the nation will help raise funds for their programs and operations. Go to fpgives.org and connect with Family Promise of Southern Delaware.
Family Promise of Southern Delaware is a nonprofit organization that holds general status meetings the fourth Thursday of each month. For more information and to donate, call 302-278-0020, email info@familypromisesouthernde.org or go to fpgives.org.
