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What is the Family Promise Ministry:
Family Promise is an interfaith organization dedicated to help homeless and low income families achieve and sustain independence. In 1982 founder Karen Olson, a marketing executive in New York City, saw a homeless woman on the streets. She offered her a sandwich and learned that this woman needed someone to listen to her as much as she needed food. It wasn’t long before Karen and her sons were bringing food to the cities homeless. She soon became aware that there were hundreds of homeless people, including families in her own community of Union County, New Jersey. Karen turned to the religious community for help. The first Interfaith Hospitality Network was established in October of 1986. Since then Family Promise has grown to over 150 affiliates across the country including our own Family Promise of Ouachita.
What is our church doing to help this ministry?
Family Promise of Ouachita is under the direction of Sandra Jones and is located at Berean Baptist Church in Monroe. There are 12 churches that share the responsibilities of host congregations. First Baptist of Calhoun is one of these churches. As a host congregation we house families for one week each quarter. Cots, which Family Promise provides, are brought to the church on Sunday by the previous congregation’s coordinator. The families arrive at our church by 5:30pm. Charlene Ragan organizes the dinners for each night. Pricilla Purdy provides snacks each day for the families. Shower facilities are offered to our guest each night. Charlotte Bingham comes by each morning and washes and dries the towels and any bedding as necessary. Danny Bryant provides a sumptuous breakfast each morning.
What Can You Do?
Presently there is an opening for night host coordinator. If anyone is interested let me know. Night host stay with the families each night. Seven night hosts are required for the week the guest families are with us. Any donations of clothes, office supplies, personal care products and yes even money, would be greatly appreciated. If you would like more information you can visit the national organizations website at www.familypromise.org or www.familypromiseofouachita.com
For more information contact:
Sherlyn Hogan 366-2393 or sheriam114@aol.com
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