Family Promise Celebrates 30th Anniversary

NORTH CAPE MAY – “Its’ not what most people think… when you walk in, I was really surprised” Kiersten began. As a mother of triplets who was forced to leave her sister’s apartment due to lease restrictions, she was at first a little dubious when she entered the building. Those doubts soon evaporated. Kiersten is now on her own, working as a nurse’s assistant, and attending classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). 
“There was an overwhelming sense of caring as soon as I came in” added Stephanie, a mother of two who had to leave her home when her partner used all their income for a drug habit. “I am a very shy person but I opened up a lot because it was like a family” is how she described her introduction to this non-sectarian network of people who offer help but do not create dependencies in the effort to get families back on their feet.
Steve said that “because I was working part time at K-Mart after my wife and I were both injured and unemployed within a 2 week period, Social Services said I did not qualify for aid and referred me to this organization”. Steve is now back on his feet, owns a gaming app company and volunteers to cook meals and host homilies in overnight accommodations in the network of churches who have stepped forward to help.
Founded in 1986, the National Interfaith Hospitality Network was created to put people in need together with people who can help short term homeless families. Now called Family Promise, this organization is celebrating its’ 30th anniversary nationwide, and its’ 7th year in operation in the North Cape May area of Cape May County.
According to Cape May County Family Promise Network Director Laurie Johnson, the warm and welcoming 1st impression that clients receive when they begin their association with Family Promise is at the heart of what her volunteers strive to accomplish. “This is not a shelter; there are no rows of cots or lockers, but we do stress a welcoming attitude to families by our volunteers”. As you enter the building located at 505 Townbank Road, you see a large, fully decorated open space containing sofas, stuffed chairs, coffee tables, a large and warm kitchen for children and adults to interact, just like home. A bookcase is stocked with all kinds of books and old VCR tapes; you hear the sound of kids and adults interacting throughout the center as any family would in any home you might visit. It just happens that this is the daytime gathering place for families who want a “hand up, not a hand out”.
The network, consisting of congregations of all faiths, provides short term housing to homeless families while they work to save enough money to move into their own home. The typical family stays about 5 to 6 weeks at a nearby “hospitality” center at night after 5PM They use the day center on Townbank Road for their “home “base while they plan for their return to independence. The warm and non-judgmental attitude of the volunteers also creates an home environment where adults can look for work, have an actual mailing address for resumes, and be confident that their children are happy in a loving and nurturing environment .
Sarah came to the center with a 4 week old baby and her 5 year old. She found that her savings did not last long when she was on maternity leave from her job and she lost her apartment. Social Services placed her in a motel, but when she began receiving disability, she was told she made too much money to qualify even though her disability would not even cover the motel room costs alone. She worked 2 jobs after arriving at Family Promise to earn enough to have rent plus the security deposit and living expenses. “This is not a free ride” Sarah noted, “You must work yourself to get that home and this place gives you the opportunity to do so”.
Lisa came to Family Promise because she and her 15 year old daughter were evicted on her daughter’s birthday no less. A friend of hers knew of Family Promise and not only did Lisa manage to become employed as a home health worker, but her relationship with her daughter improved, all within 6 weeks. Lisa attributes this turn around in her fortunes to the way the volunteers make clients feel welcome and the emotional support they provide. Director Johnson feels that this emotional support and family atmosphere is at least as important as any other more tangible assistance they can provide.
The Family Promise organization is still growing. It features about 200 affiliates nationwide; 20 of those affiliates in New Jersey. Mike Andrews, the newly appointed Director of the Atlantic County affiliate of Family Promise, sat during the discussion literally taking notes, learning all he could, as the families related their stories. He is charged with opening the new Family Promise center in Egg Harbor City, on Philadelphia Ave. on Nov. 20th.
Director Johnson defines the Family Promise as an organization of volunteers. Some can physically volunteer at a hospitality center like Steve, or they can offer their services to contribute small or large household items that can help families establish a new family home. Anyone wishing to contribute time or resources to Family Promise can call 609-846-7862 for more information.