Family Promise looks back at year's successes

by Kerri Sandaine
Saturday August 29, 2009
Reprinted with permission from the
Lewiston Tribune

Valley organization offers chance for homeless families to rise out of poverty

It's been a year since Family Promise opened its doors in Lewiston to serve families in need.

The organization provides a roof over their heads, food and contacts to the various resources in the community that can assist them in finding permanent homes, jobs and a more stable life for parents and children caught in the web of poverty.

Ron Ramos, executive director, said in the past year 11 families have been helped with a 73 percent success rate. Success in this program means the families make it from a point of crisis to self-sufficiency.

"The generosity of the churches overall, in resources and finances, makes this work," Ramos said. "The volunteers have provided emotional support and friendships. It's a simple way for ordinary folks to make an extraordinary long-term impact on the lives of families."

An open house to celebrate the one-year anniversary and the accomplishments of the program will be from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight at the Family Promise Day Center, 921 Ninth Ave., Lewiston.

Although it's only been in operation a year here, the program started more than 20 years ago in New Jersey, said board member Toni Kraut. The founder handed a homeless woman a sandwich and the woman grabbed her hand, wanting more. That brief encounter sparked the idea of using existing resources, such as churches, as places for homeless families to spend the night. There are now more than 140 affiliates in 39 states.

Several years ago, the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley was identified by the main organization as an area with a need for Family Promise, which is part of an interfaith hospitality network. A representative visited some area churches and pitched the idea, Kraut said. The pastors talked to their congregations, and about 50 people began meeting on a regular basis.

Eventually, a core group emerged, and it took three years of meetings, recruitment and selling the concept to churches to get the ball rolling here, Kraut said.

"We've built a real partnership with all the agencies in the valley," she said. "Everybody works together as a team to help people in need."

Recently, the non-profit organization was able to hire a part-time social worker, Sharon Waterhouse, to assist families in their search for housing, jobs and other resources. "I think it's a great concept," Waterhouse said. "I'm really enjoying it. There are so many good people who help."

Family Promise is seeking additional host churches to help lighten the load of the 10 churches and nine team churches already participating. Anyone who is interested in joining the effort can contact (208) 798-3349 for more information or visit the Web site at www.familypromiselc.org.

"We don't want to burn out our regulars," Kraut said.

Homeless families must go through a screening process to enter the Family Promise program. Drug tests and criminal background checks are part of the requirements, used at every Family Promise organization in the country.

"We can't put our volunteers at risk, so we have to be careful," Kraut said.

Family Promise relies on volunteers, donations, grants and fundraising to keep the operation going. Costs are kept to a minimum because church space is used to house the families at night and volunteers provide the food, Kraut said.

The primary fundraiser is the Cardboard Box City event, slated for Sept. 18 in the parking lot of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church. Last year, about $18,000 was raised, and organizers are hoping this year will net even more.

"Our ultimate goal is to offer families an opportunity to change," Ramos said. "Some people need a second chance and a tug to get going. We want to be that venue."