THE BEGINNING
1986: THE FIRST NETWORK
When Karen learned that homelessness was affecting families right in her own community in New Jersey, she knew she had to do something. But this was much more than giving sandwiches. She brought together people in need and people who wanted to help. Existing community resources could provide shelter, meals, and housing. Volunteers could use their skills, knowledge, and compassion to help their homeless neighbors find employment, reconnect with society, and restore their dignity.
She approached the religious community. Congregations offered hospitality space within their buildings. The YMCA provided showers and a family Day Center. A car dealer discounted a van. The first interfaith hospitality network opened on October 27, 1986.
1988: THE NETWORK GOES NATIONAL
As word spread, more New Jersey congregations formed a second network. Other congregations were inspired to develop similar programs. In 1988, we formed the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to bring the program nationwide. In addition to shelter, meals, housing, and job-seeking support, our Affiliates began developing programs for transitional housing, childcare, and homelessness prevention. Nationally, we added programs like Just Neighbors and Family Mentoring.
1992: POINT OF LIGHT
Family Promise was awarded one of 21 Points of Light, out of a field of more than 4,500 nominees, by President and Barbara Bush, signifying Family Promise as one of the top volunteer agencies in the country. The award recognizes how one neighbor can help another, and calls upon the nation to take action in service to our fellow citizens.
2003: WE BECOME FAMILY PROMISE
We changed our name, from the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to Family Promise, to reflect our broad range of programs and our vision of ending family homelessness. The name refers to the promise, in the sense of commitment, which communities make to families in need. But it also refers to the promise, the potential, inherent in every family.
2017-2021:FAMILY PROMISE OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
2017: A call went out to all churches in San Joaquin County to address child homelessness in the county. 50 people met and voted to found an Affiliate of Family Promise in San Joaquin County.
2017/2018 : Volunteers worked tirelessly to recruit congregations to support our mission.
2019: Family Promise of San Joaquin County has 26 churches signed on for hosting and support; funding was raised for our first year of operation. A space is being designed / planned in downtown Stockton for a Resource Center and we will be hiring an Executive Director.
2020: COVID-19! Hiring suspended; Day Center on hold; for 10 months we waited until December when we put out word that we would launch a clothing drive for the Gospel Center Rescue Mission.
2021: The clothing drive was a tremendous success and will be followed by other such programs as long as the pandemic continues. In April, the affiliate initiated a collection of gift cards that totaled nearly $30,000 to be distributed to several school districts for use by homeless students. In May we hired our first staff member, Jory Gwasdoff as Program Manager. After 5 months, Jory assumed the role as our first Executive Director!
2022: In January Family Promise SJC hired its first Case Manager, Kayla Thompson. The education wing at Zion Lutheran Church was transformed into the Family Promise Resource Center. After a successful fundraising campaign and a summer of renovations, families with children were able to do laundry, bath, and utilize the Resource Center as intended. At the end of September, supporters, volunteers, donors, and community members came together for a Resource Center Dedication and celebrated knowing all of the hard work for many years helped our program become a reality.