Notes from the Director • September 2006

As I sit at my desk with the rain refreshing the earth, I realize just how much we have to be thankful for at Family Promise of Gallatin Valley. In 6 short months, so much has been accomplished! As Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Here is some of what we have done together:

• A small group of committed citizens called the Family Promise Board of Directors have worked diligently for months to see their vision of services for homeless families a reality in the Gallatin Valley.
• 9 Host Congregations have given generously of their buildings, time, resources, and people to shelter families.
• 9 Partner Congregations have generously provided volunteers, food, and resources to assist the Host Congregations.
• 450 trained volunteers have cheerfully provided over 5,460 direct hours of guest services: sharing home-cooked meals, warmth and hospitality with homeless families for 196 straight days (and nights).
• Committed staff have done whatever I have asked of them – and more – to assist our families. Adam, our VISTA volunteer, probably holds the world record for patching aero-beds; Carolyn comes each afternoon and gets everyone doing chores and reads stories to little ones; and Debbie and Larry show up every Sunday to staff the Family Day Center for 10 hours and move all those beds.
• Ray Ross has committed countless hours to painting the Family Day Center and keeps everything in running order (he even patiently reminds me where the furnace is when I forget!).
• Social service agencies are making appropriate referrals to Family Promise. We are actively working together to coordinate service delivery and not duplicate services. Our families have been referred from Salvation Army, the Food Bank, Love, INC., the Health Dept., HRDC, Family Outreach and the public schools.
• We have received donations from many, many individuals, churches, and organizations. In fact, 35.9% of Family Promise’s funding is from local individual contributors.
• And most importantly, we have done what we set out to do: provide shelter and opportunities to homeless families. As of September 20th, 10 homeless families, consisting of 35 individuals, 17 adults and 18 children, have received services.

Family Promise of Gallatin Valley aims high: our goal is to end homelessness, one family at a time. Six of the eight families who have left Family Promise, are now in permanent homes. That is a 75% success rate for a brand new program! We will follow those families over the next year to make sure their initial success continues.

We will constantly evaluate our program, learn from our mistakes and make adjustments. And always, we will celebrate what we have done together and give thanks.

God has truly blessed us all!

— Gloria Edwards