As we enter into our 8th year(!) here at Family Promise of Butler County, we find ourselves as busy as ever - serving families experiencing homelessness, upgrading our programming, and converting our day center space to serve as a hybrid shelter.* Soon we will be able to house families on-site on weekends and during the weeks that we don’t have a host congregation. In this way, our families will always have a place to call “home” while they are with us, and costly hotels will be a thing of the past. Just this week, we were joined by a mom and her 10-year-old son. After losing their home in Middletown, this family found themselves in a shelter in Montgomery County. When we had open space for them, they eagerly came back to Butler County. On the very first day, the son told us he was so excited to be somewhere that he could keep his belongings safe, and that he would be able to attend school without being bullied for living at a shelter because our building looks like a home. We are so grateful to have a space that can fill that need for the children in our community! On that note, thanks to the generosity of our supporters (YOU!), we are in the process of converting our day center to a part-time night and weekend center, as well. In addition to the abundant funds that were raised at our annual Keeping the Promise, “Rocking the 80’s to Raise 80K” Event, we have a congregation that is sponsoring the transformation of one of our rooms. With this new “Hybrid Model” we will have more direct contact with our families to better assess and serve their needs. This change will also mean that we can take in families who work 2nd and 3rd shifts. Parents will have space to sleep after their shifts and while kids are at school or in childcare. This is something we have never been able to offer before. I would like to take a brief moment to thank all of our volunteers, host congregations, donors, board members, and staff for all the time they dedicate to making us a successful program here in Butler County.
Sincerely, | 
