Rotational Program
Our rotational shelter program and warm hospitality is the foundation of the Family Promise model.
Across Wayne County, communities offer hospitality to families through Family Promise using the innovative model which uses existing space like congregations and volunteers motivated by compassion. Family Promise of Wayne County opened its doors in October 2018 and as of October 2020, has helped 72 children and adults in our community. Working with community resources, we provide comprehensive and targeted services, including extensive case management, at 1/3 the cost of a traditional shelter. Furthermore, Family Promise of Wayne County serves families of all compositions, providing their only shelter option in our community.
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And it works.
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On average, 95% of the people served in the rotational shelter program secure housing within nine weeks. Because of the depth of services and community support, families stay housed, and FPWC is able to provide stabilization services to increase our impact.
HOW IT WORKS
The resources are already here. In our community, there are congregations and organizations that provide space in their buildings to serve as temporary homes. Our Day Center, located in Lyons, is where families can take showers, do laundry, receive case management, and look for housing and jobs. The Day Center is also located near other services families may need to help them on their path to self-sustainability. There are options for transportation to get families from the host shelters to the Day Center and back. With volunteers giving their time, making meals, and sharing hospitality, family homelessness is addressed without the creation of expensive shelters. Across the county, people have realized that this innovative approach truly makes a difference for families experiencing homelessness.
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Our volunteers are the core of our program. They share food, spend the night, play with children and lend their passion and expertise to help families get back on their feet. They prove that motivated people can solve family homelessness. And, in the process, they truly create “home” – and a community – for families who have no place left to turn.
A COMMUNITY RESPONSE
In every community, these core elements exist. By bringing the community together on the issue of family homelessness, Family Promise of Wayne County addresses a major social problem in an effective way. Once the community becomes engaged, people understand the root causes of family homelessness and take steps to address them.
A LONG-TERM SOLUTION
Not only does our 95% success rate mean many more families stably housed, it is also a tremendous cost saving to the community as diversion from far more expensive interventions. Our approach of keeping families together, identifying their strengths, and partnering with the community for solutions means that families are at much lower risk of returning to homelessness.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Family Promise of Wayne County changes lives. We have served 72 parents and children since our doors opened in October 2018, giving them the ability to realize their true potential. We also change the lives of our 371 volunteers, giving them a meaningful outreach right in their own communities.