First and foremost, thank you all so much for your continued love and generosity towards Family Promise of Butler County. So far this year we have had seven families come through our shelter doors for assistance. Of those seven families, we have been able to connect with 8 adults and 17 kids.... 17 kids have been looking for shelter and love, and it isn't even March.
Our communities in Butler County are struggling with homelessness in unprecedented ways. Just at Family Promise of Butler County, we have a call-back list of 34 families waiting for assistance. We have to be creative in the way we help those lives in our own backyards. Just today we welcomed a family into our program that has been homeless, living in a hotel and on couches, since early December due to a house fire. This is a blended family of 9 people, seven of which are kids. They were lost and running out of money. Mom and Dad both work for a chain pizza place that pays barely above minimum wage. Dad works as a landscaper in the spring to boost income. Remember, I am a fan of timing, it is everything...
As you might know, we partner with several community organizations and government entities such as Warren County Metro Housing Authority (WCMHA), who recently reached out to me asking if we knew of any families in need of a four-bedroom home that would qualify for their Bridges Program. (Bridges is run by WCMHA as a rapid rehousing program that provides families with a deposit and usually three months of rent.) The family mentioned above showed up at Family Promise and on the same day met with WCMHA and signed up for the program. They will potentially be in a four-bedroom home by the first week of March!
We couldn't do anything without your support, whether that be through prayer, volunteering, monetary and/or physical donations, or hosting our families. We have seen new donors this year that help with the pantry where our families can get personal and home goods. We have seen new donors giving online and by check. We have even made some strides in building new congregation relationships in the Trenton and Middletown areas. Please keep up your good work and support. Continue to talk about Family Promise and the potential we have for life transformation. Thank you all so much for your passion.
Sincerely, | 
