ROSWELL, Ga. — After years of hard work serving families out of donated church basement space in Dunwoody, Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb finally has a permanent home.
At a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Grove Way Community Center in Roswell Nov. 9, North Fulton community members officially welcomed Family Promise into its new space, where members will work to serve families in the community experiencing homelessness.
With a base of operations so centrally located to all of their partner church congregations, the organization now has greater ability to serve the community, Family Promise Executive Director Andrea Brantley said.
“I’m just really excited about this new relationship that we’re going to have,” Brantley said. “I think it’s going to help us really grow and get the word out about what Family Promise does.”
Family Promise is a nationwide non-profit group that fights homelessness by providing resources, transitional housing and support to struggling families. Brantley said this three-pronged approach is what has made the group so successful over the years.
At any given time, Family Promise is likely serving about 14 people – families, parents and kids – with its rotational shelter system, where people are temporarily housed at local church congregations on a weekly basis.
In addition to that, Brantley said the organization served more than 1,000 people in 2021 with its Emergency Response Program, providing gift cards, toiletries, groceries and gas cards to people at risk of becoming homeless. The charity also served 33 individuals in 2021 who were able to graduate from the Family Promise system, she said.
The organization faces more need than ever in the North Fulton community, which makes the move to the area so much more important, she said.
“We’re definitely seeing more families who have never experienced homelessness before,” she said. “I think COVID put us in a desperate situation for many folks.”
The COVID-19 pandemic made many families choose between working and keeping kids at home when schools closed, which was especially hard for their clients, many of them single parents, she said.
But with the help of their community partnerships, like the churches that house their families, business partnerships like they have with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the volunteers who keep the organization running, that need was filled.
“Our congregations are very invested in our success not only do they house a lot of our families, but most of them also support us financially,” she said. “Our ministers spend the night with our families, our ministers cook, it’s just a great community that we have.”
To learn more about Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb, volunteer opportunities and more, visit familypromisenfd.org.
Article by Alexander Popp at Appen Media
More than 200 people turned out Thursday, April 29, for Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb’s Third Annual Family Promise Meals with Meaning Fundraiser.
The event raised more than $45,000 to benefit Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb, a community-based organization whose mission is to help homeless and at-risk families with children in North Fulton and DeKalb counties.
“Meals with Meaning began as a way to bring this community together,” said Andrea Brantley, executive director of Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb. “It began with passing a platter, with fellowship among neighbors, with Family Promise families bravely sharing their stories.
“...Family Promise is unique in the way that we come together as a community to encourage and empower families,” Brantley said. “With this support, families are able to move from crisis to stability.”
The event gave attendees a behind-the-scenes view of Family Promise’s work. In addition, attendees heard interviews with volunteers, community members, local clergy and families who benefited from the program, including a local police officer and his family.
“It could happen to anybody — even a police officer,” the officer’s wife said. “Life doesn’t pick and choose who it happens to; life happens to everybody.”
Family Promise partners with more than 20 local congregations to provide food and shelter to families and their children. In addition, the team offers essential assistance, including intensive case management, life skills classes, career coaching and financial literacy.
Since 2012, Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb has housed more than 300 individuals at local congregations and helped more than 90 families and nearly 200 children.
“While all around us the need continues to grow, we at Family Promise are growing to meet it,” said George Orlin, chair of the Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb board. “We are excited to expand our reach in this community as we build on the incredible strides we’ve made.”
For more information, visit familypromisenfd.org.
Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb will host its annual fundraiser virtually, Meals with Meaning, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 29.
Meals with Meaning focuses on helping homeless and low-income families in North Fulton and DeKalb counties achieve sustainable independence.
The event is free to attend. To register, please visit www.mwm2021.givesmart.com.
Community members can make a difference just by registering as Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb board members will donate $1 to the organization for everyone who registers. Board members will donate an additional $2 for every person who attends Meals with Meaning.
“We know the past year has been a challenging year for everyone, including families experiencing situational homelessness,” Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb Executive Director Andrea Brantley said. “Even as we turn toward a semblance of ‘normal,’ the economic impact of the pandemic will likely persist, causing even more hardships on families. By participating in this fundraiser, people can help provide a direct lift to families in their communities and ease some of the pandemic’s impact.”
Healthcare IT Leaders; Sarah and Rob Caverhill; Temple Sinai Atlanta; Toni Rabbe; Oakbridge Partners; Brooks, McGinnis and Company LLC; Neighborhood Restaurants; Donaldson Capital Management; Crawford & Merritt Company; and t-Olive Properties are sponsoring this year’s event.
Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb provides emergency family housing and a path to independence to families experiencing situational homelessness. Its programs are possible through a community-based response.
The organization is driven by support from volunteers and donors and offers engagement programs for individuals, congregations, corporations and community organizations to support its mission.
Anyone interested in sponsoring this year’s event can sign up to do so until April 19. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andrea Brantley at andreabrantley@familypromisenfd.org.
For more information, visit familypromisenfd.org.