Mark your calendars!

We are excited to announce our upcoming free Volunteer Leadership Training: Monday, June 11th from 6-8pm in the large community room at the Bozeman Public Library (626 E. Main St., Bozeman)!

Feel free to bring a brown bag dinner and RSVP to this training here!

Our Volunteer Director, Bridget Pitman, holds these trainings monthly, or more if desired.  We ask that all of our volunteers who work directly with our families take part in the this informative training.

During these trainings Bridget will explore various topics such as:

• Family homelessness in the Gallatin Valley
• Sensitivity issues to be aware of when volunteering with our families
• How our program works and why it is so effective
• How you can volunteer and be a part of the solution to family homelessness!

We love feedback!  Please take a look at your schedule.  Is there a better time to hold a training that fits your schedule?  Let us know!

Email us a date and time that works for you or RSVP to Bridget here if you will be attending our upcoming training!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Mark your calendars!

Family Promise has an upcoming Volunteer Training on Monday, April 30th from 6-8pm at the Bozeman United Methodist Church (121 S.  Willson Ave.) in the Friendship Hall in the basement. Please RSVP to this training here!

Refreshments will be available but feel free to bring a brown bag dinner with you!

Our Volunteer Director, Bridget Pitman, directs each training with enthusiasm and hopefully a little humor!  We ask that all of our volunteers who work directly with our families take part in the this informative training.

During these trainings Bridget will explore various topics such as:

• Family homelessness in the Gallatin Valley
• Sensitivity issues to be aware of when volunteering with our families
• How our program works and why it is so effective
• How you can volunteer and be a part of the solution to family homelessness!

We love feedback!  Please take a look at your schedule.  Is there a better time to hold a training that fits your schedule?  Let us know!

Email us a date and time that works for you or RSVP to Bridget here if you will be attending our upcoming training!

On Monday, April 2nd Family Promise of Gallatin Valley hosted the first annual “Celebrity Servers at the Bistro” event!

John Bozeman’s Bistro generously partnered with Family Promise to create a delectable Italian feast for only $20. After the “Celebrity Servers” entertained their tables, guests had the opportunity to choose their favorite server and tip them generously. All tips were donated to support Family Promise’s mission to end homelessness, one family at a time.

Prior to the event, John Bozeman’s Bistro owners Ty and Carla Hill were key partners to making this event possible!
The following local celebrities showed off their serving talents: Loren Acton-astronaut and physicist; Denise Andres-top 10 ERA realtor in the US; Brian Gootkin-Gallatin County Sheriff; Rachel Hergett-Bozeman Daily Chronicle editor/reporter; John Ludin-famous Disney writer and operator of the Ellen Theater; DJ Missy O’Malley-local radio host; Patrice Parks-KTVM news anchor; Ron Price-Chief of Police and Debbi Royer-loan officer and Family Promise Board President.

“The Bistro is honored to be in partnership with Family Promise, an organization dedicated to helping homeless families.  This event will bring a greater awareness to the community and provide an opportunity for each of us to support them in their efforts.  We are looking forward to an exciting evening of good food, good celebrity service and good will to benefit Family Promise,” stated owner Carla Hill.

Local celebrity server DJ Missy O’Malley said, “Family Promise is constantly giving back to our community. They spread joy, awareness and hope. I love helping them any way possible, so why not put all my years of restaurant experience to the test?!”

Sheriff Brian Gootkin was eager for the friendly competition that ensued between himself and the Chief of Police, Ron Price. He said, “As Gallatin County Sheriff, our most important responsibility is working with citizens to help make our communities as safe as possible.  That begins with ensuring that families and kids that need help can get it.  I am honored to be asked to help out and [had] only one goal, to get more tips than Chief Price.” Sheriff Brian Gootkin won by receiving the most tips that night!

Overall the night was spectacular. We had to turn over 100 guests away. We are looking forward to partnering with John Bozeman’s Bistro in the future. This year, we raised over $6,000 to support our families! Not bad for a first-time event. Thank you for your continued support of Family Promise!

Nine Bozeman “Celebrities” Serve it up for Family Promise of Gallatin Valley

Bozeman, MT — April 2, 2012 —

On Monday, April 2^nd nine of Bozeman’s best local celebrities will be serving up delicious John Bozeman’s Bistro fare for lucky guests to support Family Promise of Gallatin Valley. Family Promise is a Bozeman nonprofit that serves local homeless families with children.

John Bozeman’s Bistro has generously partnered with Family Promise to create a delectable Italian feast for only $20. After the “Celebrity Servers” have entertained their tables, guests will have the opportunity to choose their favorite server and tip them generously. All tips will then be donated to support Family Promise’s mission to end homelessness, one family at a time.

John Bozeman’s Bistro owners Ty and Carla Hill are excited for this unique event. “The Bistro is honored to be in partnership with Family Promise, an organization dedicated to helping homeless families.  This event will bring a greater awareness to the community and provide an opportunity for each of us to support them in their efforts.  We are looking forward to an exciting evening of good food, good celebrity service and good will to benefit Family Promise,” stated owner Carla Hill.

The following local celebrities will be showing off their serving talents: Loren Acton-astronaut and physicist; Denise Andres-top 10 ERA realtor in the US; Brian Gootkin-Gallatin County Sheriff; Rachel Hergett-Bozeman Daily Chronicle editor/reporter; John Ludin-famous Disney writer and operator of the Ellen Theater; DJ Missy O’Malley-local radio host; Patrice Parks-KTVM news anchor; Ron Price-Chief of Police and Debbi Royer-loan officer and Family Promise Board President.

Local celebrity server DJ Missy O’Malley said, “Family Promise is constantly giving back to our community. They spread joy, awareness and hope. I love helping them any way possible, so why not put all my years of restaurant experience to the test?! I hope to see you at the Bistro, at your service!”

Sheriff Brian Gootkin is eager for the friendly competition that will take place at the event. He said, “As Gallatin County Sheriff, our most important responsibility is working with citizens to help make our communities as safe as possible.  That begins with ensuring that families and kids that need help can get it.  I am honored to be asked to help out and have only one goal, to get more tips than Chief Price.”

Seats are limited and reservations will go quickly. If you are interested in supporting Family Promise for this event please call John Bozeman’s Bistro to reserve your spot at 406.587.4100.

For information contact: Bridget at bpitman@familypromisegv.org

Karen with her Thanksgiving feast!

People in Bozeman are incredibly creative and giving. One of our first families served at Family Promise of Gallatin Valley was the recipient of the generosity of a couple who choose to remain anonymous.

This couple came to me in 2007 and said they wanted to make a real difference in one family’s life. As an empty nest couple they loved to shop at Costco, but all the items were too big for the two of them. Did we have a single parent who could use extra help with groceries?

Well, we did, and her name was Karen. As the mother of two growing boys, she always made just over the limit to qualify for Food Stamps. While at Family Promise, Karen went from unemployed to employed, from homeless to sharing an apartment. With the help of our anonymous couple, she was able to save enough for her own apartment.

Every single month for over four years, this couple brought groceries to our Day Center, and Karen came to pick them up. They never met personally, but Karen always wrote monthly thank you notes and showed her appreciation for their kindness.

Karen has now been out of Family Promise for over 5 years, and is doing well. She completed the Family Promise volunteer training and her and the boys enjoy staying overnight at the church helping others. Last month Karen came and told us she had received a better paying job and wouldn’t feel right accepting more free groceries.

We talked to our anonymous couple, and wondered what their thoughts would be. They simply said, do you have another family that could use some help?

This is just one example of why I love Family Promise and our community. I think Martin Luther King said it best: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” There is no end to the possibilities – and to the difference you can make!

February 23, 2012

My family are recent transplants to Montana. We left a part of the country that was going downhill very quickly. It was our dream to live in Montana, for the beauty of it. We came here with absolutely nothing but our clothes and our truck packed with a few personal belongings.

We met a lady in Livingston who took us to Bozeman to meet with Kacie Grue. Kacie works for Family Promise. This organization took us in, took care of us until we got on our feet, and still checks on us. We owe Kacie, Gloria Edwards and Bridget Pitman our happiness. We never expected or even realized people like them existed. They are the angels we were missing in our lives. Because of them, we are “living our dream.” Also, volunteers Larry King and Kelsey Jackson. They are still part of our lives and hope they will be forever.

Julie Morman

Graduated family Nancy and Austin in their new home

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines home as:

one’s place of residence, the social unit formed by a family living together, or a familiar or usual setting : congenial environment.

But what does “home” mean to you?

I grew up in a quiet town in Northern Idaho. Our neighborhood played “Kick the Can” at night until dark. Our family enjoyed summer BBQ’s and building snowmen during the winters in our back yard. Home was safe. Home was a healthy community. Home was constant.

At Family Promise many families come to us who lack something very important: a supportive network or a community. That is why our program is different from a traditional homeless shelter.

Family Promise focuses on the importance of relationships. Our volunteers provide a supportive network of listening ears, hugs and encouragement for families going through a “housing crisis”.

Since I began working for Family Promise I have realized that the idea of home is relative to each person. To me home has become less about an address and instead more focused on the idea that “home is where the heart is” or where your community is fostered.

The goal of our program is to help our families regain their independence. We do this by supporting the whole person-not just their housing needs. We work on budgeting, childcare, parenting skills and other vital life skills that our families can use once they graduate our program.

Yes, the goal of our program is to help our families end their issue of homelessness. However, it is deeper than that.

Each day we are supporting our families. Loving our families. And in the process we become part of their family.

Our volunteers and staff are the family members who are invited to baby showers, graduations and birthday parties of our past and present guests. We truly become a family during each guest’s time in the program.

Join us in the fight to end homelessness, one family at a time. This year, make a resolution to build a relationship with a family that needs a little extra support.

After all, don’t we all need a place and a community to call home?

Our Volunteer Director, Bridget Pitman, holds these trainings monthly, or more if desired.  We ask that all of our volunteers who work directly with our families take part in the this informative training.

During these trainings Bridget will explore various topics such as:

• Family homelessness in the Gallatin Valley
• Sensitivity issues to be aware of when volunteering with our families
• How our program works and why it is so effective
• How you can volunteer and be a part of the solution to family homelessness!

We love feedback!  Please take a look at your schedule.  Is there a better time to hold a training that fits your schedule?  Let us know!

Email us a date and time that works for you or RSVP to Bridget here if you will be attending our upcoming training!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

For 2012, mark your calendars for the second Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm at the REI store in Bozeman in the community room!  The store is located off of 19th St. on 2220 Tschache Street. REI is graciously giving us their community room for this time each month for the entire year.

On Tuesday, May 8th from 6-8 Family Promise will be hosting a volunteer training at REI.  Space is limited at REI so you must RSVP HERE before attending a training at that location to Bridget at 582.7388. Feel free to bring a brown bag dinner with you to our training.

This means that our training schedule will be more flexible with two dates and locations to choose from each month. We will host one at this regularly scheduled time at REI and another training date that will change each month to better accommodate your schedule at the Bozeman Public Library. Please check back to our website for the most updated training times and locations!

Our Volunteer Director, Bridget Pitman, directs each training with enthusiasm and hopefully a little humor!  We ask that all of our volunteers who work directly with our families take part in the this informative training.

During these trainings Bridget will explore various topics such as:

• Family homelessness in the Gallatin Valley
• Sensitivity issues to be aware of when volunteering with our families
• How our program works and why it is so effective
• How you can volunteer and be a part of the solution to family homelessness!

We love feedback!  Please take a look at your schedule.  Is there a better time to hold a training that fits your schedule?  Let us know!

Email us a date and time that works for you or RSVP to Bridget here if you will be attending our upcoming training!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Support Family Promise THIS Friday!

This Friday, Jan. 6th buy the right to wear your blue jeans to work and support our homeless children with families!

HOW IT WORKS:

Blue Jean Friday is a monthly program that provides a fun way to assist local nonprofit organizations. This Friday, Jan. 6th Family Promise of Gallatin Valley was selected as the nonprofit recipient!

With management consent, purchasing a $2 Blue Jean Friday sticker gives employees the “right” to wear blue jeans to work this Friday.

Stickers may be obtained at the Chronicle, KBOZ Radio Station, Van’s County Market, Albertson’s in Belgrade & Bozeman, either Valley Bank location in Belgrade any time prior to Friday.

All proceeds are given to the monthly recipient. Please deliver the collected funds by next Friday to the Chronicle office, the Courtesy Counter at Van’s County Market or Valley Bank in Belgrade. Be sure to include your company’s name along with the donation. Blue Jean Friday is generally the first Friday of every month.

Thank you for supporting Family Promise in this way and please help us spread the word!