Dear Friends of Family Promise,
Family Promise
continues to provide shelter and support to families who are homeless and food to those who are hungry. Here is the latest on Family Promise's response to these acute issues facing our community during COVID-19.
The Network, New Leaf and Post Shelter Programs
All of the previously homeless parents and children in our
Network, New Leaf and Post Shelter Programs
are safely housed in apartments, with friends, or in a hotel. Most parents spend the day with their children because either their jobs have closed or they have lost their childcare due to the closing of daycare centers. Living in small quarters with children can be challenging in the best of times. Sheltering in place with little ones takes this to a new level. (see article below.)
During weekly Zoom gatherings run by our family case managers, parents brainstorm questions such as, "How do I shop for groceries safely without my children when no one wants to come out
of their homes to watch them?" and "How do we stay good neighbors when the kids are more active than usual and the couple downstairs is working from home?" Creative solutions and emotional support are just two of the resulting outcomes.
The face-to-face contact in these gatherings, albeit virtual, is extremely important. The parents are friends. Seeing each other and knowing that they are experiencing similar issues brings real comfort. There is lots of laughter and sometimes a few tears but families sign off from the meetings feeling more relaxed and renewed.
Regular, individual case management "meetings" are also continuing. Case managers have daily contact with the families as they all work to make the most of this unprecedented time. The personalized support that Family Promise is known for will definitely be necessary in the days to come.
