More than just Shelter

"It was nice to just be normal..."

There's another circus (besides Family Promise) in town! Family Promise guests and staff were able to enjoy a night out on the town with a generous donation of Cirque Du Soleil tickets! A current participant said, "It was nice to just be normal for a night with 'friends' and family. We blended in with everyone else. No one knew we were in a program; we were just there to have fun."

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More than just Shelter

One chilly day in December, a woman came to our door, shaking and crying, desperately seeking help. She explained she had a PFA (protection from abuse) order against an abusive boyfriend, but he refused to respect the court order - stalking her, harassing her, even breaking into her apartment with weapons the night before.

She was terrified for herself and her children. “He says he can do whatever he wants, and the police aren’t going to stop him!” she said through tears.

Our discussion found that she had called the police a dozen times, but they weren’t interested in helping. Showing us the numerous calls to the police, she cried, “All they say is to ‘let us know if he hurts you and try to stay somewhere else,’ but where can I go?”

The staff at Family Promise was able to help her create a safety plan for herself and her children. We then connected her with the local DA’s Office and the Victim’s Witness program, who called a meeting with the Harrisburg police chief. With Victim’s Witness’ assistance, the police reviewed the PFA and the evidence of his threats and harassment, finally leading to her abuser being taken off the street and incarcerated for threats, harassment, stalking, and finally, violation of a PFA order.

She came back to us the next day, smiling and greatly relieved! “He is gone now. I don’t know how long for, but long enough for me and my kids to find a new place to live where he won’t know where to find us.” Through hugs and tears, she thanked us for being willing to help her when no one else could. “We have time now to find someplace safe. I thank God I was able to find you and you were willing - and able - to help.”

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1st Anniversaries

Family Promise served 25+ clients in 2023 at Brethren Housing Association's Job Club. We celebrated the 1-year anniversary on January 10th with the support of Road to Success case manager, Stacey Coldren. During these job club classes, clients work on confidence, mock interviews, resume building, and looking for jobs.

Steve and his kiddos celebrated one year in their home! This special family was able to hold birthday parties, holiday dinners, and make so many new memories together in their home. I can’t wait to see what is in store for this family down the road!

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Hope through Hospitality

“They treat us like family,” is how I heard a guest talking about the host sites, where Family Promise HCR families spend the overnight hours. In case you aren’t totally familiar with how FPHCR works, click here. 

We lost half, yes half, of our host partners during COVID. Thankfully, we have also picked up a few new sites. But we are still in great need of congregations that would like to partner with us and make an investment of time and building space, for folks who desperately need it. 

Family Promise HCR is not a religious organization. We are a social service organization that utilizes the network of resources that faith communities have created.  

Intrigued?  We’d be happy to talk with you personally or talk to your congregation about what we do and how they might partner with us.   

Congregations have an opportunity to treat people like family, many of whom haven’t felt that in a long time. Contact Susan Ryder at susan@familypromisehcr.org for more information about hosting. 

Christmas Past, Present, & Future

FP Families of Christmas Past, Present, & Future

Scrooge isn't the only one thinking of the past, present, and future this year. Pleaseclick on this videoto remember our past guests, check in with our current families, and learn about our future plans to equip families to move from homelessness to HOME.

ALL the ways to enjoy Christmas and help families!

1. This year, Santa, and Family Promise, has a little helper! If you'd like to outsource some of your wrapping this year and help out FP in the process, contact this awesome 12-year-old for more details! (Check out her flyer below.)

2. For a donation of at least $15, Family Promise HCR will send a lovely hand-written card acknowledging your donation in honor or memory of a person of your choice. This is a nice choice for someone who has “everything” or that service-minded person in your life.

3. Have you ever been to The Linglestown Lights show? As it says on the website, "We are a 'dancing' Christmas light display right here in Centra PA! Note - we are not a business! This is just a hobby of mine!" Any details you may need are available on their website. And this year, any donations given to the lights show will be donated to Family Promise! 

Hunger and Homelessness Week: Relationships Under Fire - From Strife to Support

Each day of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, we are going to send you an email about a topic relating to our families. Thank you for being a part of the solution!

When a family is displaced from their home, it can take a toll on many facets of their lives including financial, social, and on their physical and mental health. But one aspect that can often go overlooked is the strain it can put on the spouses or adult partners in that relationship.

Because money and other financial matters are the most common cause of conflict among couples, it only makes sense that when enduring the financial hardship of experiencing homelessness, a couple is even more prone to argue. One partner may not feel that the other is pulling their financial or emotional weight, and this can lead to bitterness and resentment. Other stressors can include living in cramped or group quarters or having to adhere to shelter or social services rules and restrictions.

When there is a shift or loss of control over the typical roles and routines that normally allow partner relationships to thrive, feelings of inadequacy can take root within either person. I feel humiliated that we’re in this situation. Have I let my partner down by allowing things to get this far? Why haven’t I figured out how to get us out of this situation? If a person feels emotionally distant from their partner in addition to already feeling separated from others due to their circumstances, it can negatively affect their well-being.

In the most extreme cases, the strain can even lead to abuse between partners. For example, in Los Angeles, a city with one of the highest displaced populations in the country, 34% of 18-24 year-olds experiencing homelessness have experienced some form of Intimate Partner Violence, which can be physical, sexual, or psychological.

A strained relationship naturally impacts the entire family. When two parents are going through a difficult patch, it not only affects them, but the children that rely on them, and increases their burden. But if parents are mindful of looming relationship stressors and are committed to managing them, they are taking the first important steps to limiting the damage they cause.

When experiencing homelessness, it’s all the more crucial for partners to remain supportive of one another. This can include the simple practice of placing the good of one’s partner or the relationship above one’s own personal needs.

It can mean reaching out to others for care and encouragement and enlisting the help of organizations like Family Promise. While many programs separate male and female partners for both privacy and safety reasons, Family Promise is committed to keeping families together when they are unsheltered. Something as simple as a father being able to stay with his family and kiss his wife and daughters goodnight can help reduce the stress of an already daunting experience. These things can provide both members of the relationship a much-needed source of support, and remind them they have someone in their corner.

Having (and being) a reliable and supportive partner can help prevent negative feelings and reactions from occurring, so it’s important for both partners to remember that they’re in it together! And, in the very best of cases, it can strengthen the relationship immeasurably. This will help to stay focused on combining their energies into finding housing and taking the steps to secure a better future for themselves and their families.

[1] Intimate Partner Violence Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness, Homelessness Policy Research Institute

Family Promise HCR Spotlight