“We help newly homeless children & their families by getting them off the streets and into a stable, supportive environment that moves them toward self-sufficiency.”
Family Promise of Seattle is a clear example of how many people contributing to a seemingly enormous cause can make a significant impact. By creating a network of diverse organizations with similar goals, they have helped keep many families safe, warm, and most importantly, together.What Do They Do?
Since founding the local branch of this nationwide non-profit in July of 2008, Family Promise of Seattle has been providing shelter, meals and assistance in finding employment and stable housing to newly homeless families with one or more children. Taken directly from their website, "We coordinate a network of congregations and volunteers that provides community, temporary housing and food, while staff provides case management, advocacy and direction to help families access the resources they need to take care of themselves." One of the unique aspects of this program is that they are able to keep family units together, whereas sometimes children of different sexes must be separated in a shelter environment. Family Promise Seattle houses up to fourteen individuals in faith locations (churches, etc.) for one week, four times a year providing dinner, transportation, case management and use of a computer to help themselves back into stable housing.
How Does It Work?
Families are referred to Family Promise through established social services centers throughout Seattle. They go through an assessment process with the Network Director to determine if the family is a good fit and then together they lay out a plan to achieve their goals. Throughout the week, while the children are at school, parents receive transportation to and from the Day Center, located in West Seattle, where they meet with a social worker to further the plan that they helped to create. When the families return to the faith location, the sponsoring organization provides dinner to the families and working or playing with the children, helping with homework or simply allowing them to talk and unwind. Two volunteer chaperones spend the night on location to ensure safety and accessibility.
Does It Work?
On a nationwide level, Family Promise has about an 80% success rate of families who complete their plan and find sustainable housing. Family Promise Seattle has helped over sixty family members in the Seattle area with an incredible spirit in the face of an incredible ongoing need. But what the numbers don’t tell is the personal stories of these families that keep the volunteers going and inspire anyone who hears them. They share updates on a few of the families they have helped on their website here.
What West Seattle Organizations are Involved?
This multi-denominational group takes pride in not promoting any specific religious agenda - in fact it’s prohibited. The families that benefit are not required to attend religious services or engage in faith-based discussions of any sort in order to receive help. Many of our own West Seattle congregations have pitched in to help, including but not limited to Alki Congregational UCC, Admiral Congregational UCC, Fauntleroy Church UCC, Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hope Lutheran, West Side Presbyterian, and Westside Unitarian Universalist. You can find a complete list of participating host and partner congregations here.
How Can You Help?
One of the most difficult resources for non-profit organizations during tough economic times is maintaining the funding that allows volunteers to continue this work. Family Promise is funded through competitive government grants, giving circles and generous individual donations. One of the best ways you can help is by joining “Club 206”, a monthly giving program of $17 that adds up to $206/year and supports an ongoing commitment to those in our area code. To donate to this organization, in whatever capacity you can, visit:
http://familypromiseofseattle.org/id12.html
In addition to monetary donations, additional volunteers can help relieve the burden. If you are a member of a faith-based organization that would like to learn more about hosting or contributing to this cause visit:
http://familypromise.bizland.com/id3.html
Family Promise of Seattle
3623 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
206-937-2703
Website: http://familypromiseofseattle.org/
Facebook: Family Promise of Seattle
Nestled at the foot of Delridge in the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Nature Consortium is growing. This unique non-profit encompasses many subjects – art, underserved communities, the environment – but what ties them all together is a commitment to creativity and organization. What began as one woman’s good idea has become a well-watered machine with a strong social media presence.
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Second, she shares the workload with her staff. Clementine is lucky to be blessed with enthusiastic part-time employees interested in fashion and photography. Designated days of the week are devoted to photos of new products or a weekly “look book” showing how to pull some of the pieces together, maintained by an aspiring fashion student compiling a portfolio. Linda considers herself a “conductor” overseeing the various contributors to Clemetine’s social media symphony.
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Lisa decided to focus her attention on one subject, a “Cute Chair of the Day” or “C2otD”. She wanted one thing that was visually interesting, maintained consistency, and something that she could talk about on a regular basis. This concept exists on their Twitter, Facebook and blog sites, along with regular updates about sales and in-store events, and has generated reader comments, feedback, and even sales. She also recognizes her strengths and limitations. Lisa maintains the Facebook and Twitter sites, but shares blogging responsibility with a coworker with a talent for writing.
Angelina’s is first and foremost a family place. Thanks to two young ones of their own, Skip and Allison put careful thought into including kid-friendly features, from chalkboards built into every booth, play dough available for entertainment, and a kids menu easily customizable for particular tastes or dairy and gluten allergies. Even the staff is a family affair with Allison’s father Ken often providing support staff while Skip makes cocktails or Allison serves tables in the restaurant.
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