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Offering the helping hand that is needed for families to get back on their feet...
Coordinator Reflections
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| | Written by:
Laura Leavitt
Sue Ratto has spent 3 years as the coordinator of Family Promise at Christ the King Lutheran Church in West Chester. Sue remembers their congregation becoming a host church even before the program opened. What has kept her coming back are the amazing results. “I’ve kept working with Family Promise because I’ve seen the program’s success,” she says.
“We meet some great guests and work alongside other churches, offering the helping hand that is needed for families to get back on their feet.”
She has great advice for congregations or individuals who are getting used to the idea of sleeping at church in the overnight host role. “When you actually host, the overnight stay is the easiest of volunteer jobs,” she explains. “You quickly reach a routine for the weeks that you host, and it is such a satisfying way to give to others. I truly feel Jesus in our midst when we are all together with the families. He would want his buildings used to give food and shelter to those without any means rather than sitting empty.” She also suggests that interested individuals should arrange to visit another host congregation to see the program in action and realize what a great opportunity it is.
Sue notices a deep gratitude in the children she meets, one that can help many of us remember and be grateful.
“A little boy touched my heart when we were packing up leftover food to send to the Day Center on the last morning,” she says. “He said, ‘you should give that to the homeless.’ One of the Moms said, ‘we are the homeless.’ This little boy said, ‘at least we have a roof over our heads.’ I am so glad to be even a small part of providing that roof.”
Sue makes new friends every time Christ the King hosts, and her congregation has a bit of a joke about it. “The church staff tease me because they hear me say that this group is the best one yet,” says Sue. “They laugh and tell me I say that about every group that arrives.”
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| New Year, New Happenings
So here we are just two months into the new year and we already have some very exciting news that I can’t wait to share it with you!
In the last two months we have already served 8 families (8 adults and 16 children). Four of these families have graduated successfully and four are currently in shelter. We have a waiting list of families who are in need of shelter. With these statistics we will have another record breaking year of serving families and we’ve just started the year.
This year we have three new congregations who are hosting our families. Our host congregations now include: Center Pointe Christian, Calvary Chapel, Faith Community UMC, Christ the King, Crestview, St. Max, St. Julie’s, Princeton Pike CoG, Hamilton CoG, Redeemer, WC Nazarene, Lighthouse and Lord of Life. We are so thankful to these congregations and their volunteers. We are, however, still in need of more congregations to help host!
We have six new board members this year. Our board members for 2020 are: Jennifer Withrow (Board President), Roderick Mills (Vice-President, Fund Development), Rachel Apke (Treasurer), Ed Theroux (Secretary), Scott Ellsworth (Personnel), Shan Clesceri (Communications), Pastor Joel Morgan (Congregational Support), Kim Huston, Kathy Cook, Kathy Wagonfield, Lakme’ Kodros and Larry Brueshaber. Thank you to these board members who really make a difference in the operations of Family Promise.
Now for our big announcement! Family Promise of Butler County has been awarded a grant, in the amount of $50,000, from Family Promise National and Synchrony Bank. This grant is part of a pilot program to be able to provide prevention/diversion funding to those families who might become homeless without some intervention and assistance. This will prevent them having to enter shelter. We are so excited about this new project. This will really make a difference for many families!
I want to thank each one of you for your continued support of our growing Family Promise.
Blessings!
Linda
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| | We're Hiring! Part-time Van Drivers/Day Center Staff
We are in need of 2 van drivers/day center staff:
Position 1 - Monday through Friday 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Responsibilities include covering the day center for 1 hour and then transporting our families to their overnight congregation.
Position 2 - Saturdays from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. This position transports the families back from the overnight congregation and then covers the day center until 2:00 pm.
If you or anyone you know is interested in one or both of these positions, please have them email Linda at lsmith@familypromisebutlercounty.com with their resume. CDL is not required. Thank you!
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DAY CENTER NEEDS - Paper towels
- Lysol and Lysol wipes
- Kitchen can trash bags
- Shampoo for natural hair
- New or like new bath towels
- Baby shampoo
If you can provide any of these items, you can drop them off at the Day Center at: 19 S. Front Street, Hamilton or contact Linda at 513-444-2033.
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| Save the Date!
The 2nd Annual Family Promise Dot Dash 5K run/walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2020. More info coming soon. Mark your calendars! |
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Host Congregation Spotlight |
| Royal Redeemer
Makes Room for Homeless Families |
| | Written by: Tera Michelson
What does it take to be a Support Congregation for Family Promise of Butler County? Royal Redeemer of Liberty Township assists in the best way they know how—by making room. This local congregation makes room for homeless families in their budgets, schedules, and even in their church building, but most importantly, they make room in their hearts.
Last winter, as a Support Congregation, Royal Redeemer raised an astounding $20,000 for Family Promise with a Christmas miracle offering, igniting a passion for making miracles in the lives of homeless families. Pastor Joel Morgan sees energy and excitement from the Royal Redeemer congregation as they support FPBC with finances and as volunteers. They will serve as a Host Congregation for the first time this July, transforming their church’s rooms into a place that homeless families can call ‘home’ for a week.
“For Royal Redeemer, this is an all-congregation, all-hands-on-deck event,” Morgan says. “We are trying to put everything else on hold to make it happen.”
“It’s one thing to talk about the problem from a distance, and it’s another thing to actually serve these families face-to-face and love them with Jesus’ love,” he adds.
Pastor Morgan serves as a board member for FPBC, leading the Congregational Support Team.
“I love that congregations are working together as part of this network,” Morgan says. “Here’s an opportunity for us to work together and make an impact in our community.”
“We are going out to recruit more congregations in Liberty, West Chester, Hamilton, Oxford and Monroe,” he shares. “Our goal is to find more congregations to be a part of the Family Promise support network in Butler County.”
Royal Redeemer is up for the challenge of being a Support and Host Congregation, making room for Butler County’s homeless families. Learn how your church can partner with Family Promise to end homelessness. Contact Linda at 513-444-2033.
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| Join us at The Shamrock Shuffle on March 14! This is such a fun event sponsored by the West Chester/Liberty Community Foundation. There are several 5K/10K (timed and untimed) as well as a block party. There is something for everyone in the family. Get exercise, enjoy time with friends and family and help raise funds for Family Promise of Butler County. Register today and be sure to mark Family Promise of Butler County as your charity of choice!
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| | Thank you for letting us thank you!! :)
On Friday, February 21st, we hosted our 3rd Annual Thank You Dessert Reception at Princeton Pike Church of God. A big thank you to Princeton Pike for allowing us the space to host, and also to Kim Hollon for preparing so many delicious desserts!! If you missed it, here are a few pictures from the event. We hope to see you there next year! |
| | | Family Promise of Butler County is a 501(3)(c) non-profit charity. Donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your continued support!
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