Family Promise of Grayson County Newsletter April 2023

Our mission is intersecting faith and community to empower

Grayson County families to end child homelessness.

Message from our Executive Director

Hello, friends!

Easter is a time to rejoice and be thankful for the gift of new life. A family that graduated from our rotation program recently expressed thankfulness for their new, stable life by donating $100 worth of gas cards to help those in need. We all can rejoice with this family (and others like them) in their success!

This Easter, may you be blessed with a home full of happiness and love.

Leigh

Eggs-ceedingly Nice Easter Baskets

An excited little boy peeks out at some of the Easter Baskets that Webb's Electric and For the Love of Bikes Bikers and Brotherhood Inc. partnered in creating for local nonprofits. Elizabeth Lilly, Founder/President of For the Love of Bikes Bikers and Brotherhood Inc. (pictured on the right with case managers Kristi and Tara), recently delivered baskets to the Day Center for some of the guests of Family Promise. We are so grateful to have partnerships with organizations like these two that provide special treats for our children!

Get to know our student intern!

Holly Williams, student intern from Liberty University, says that when she has time, she enjoys going to the beach, but she is a country girl at heart and will settle for riding ATVs in the mud. She loves animals (dogs, cats, horses, goats) and enjoys being outside.

Holly grew up in Garland, Texas. She has two older brothers, two grown sons, and two preschoolers (ages 2 and 4). She and her husband have been married for 13 years. She currently works as an RN and will graduate in May with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is looking forward to starting a new career. We have enjoyed having Holly with us this semester and wish her well in the future!

Vivacious Volunteers

A delicious meal and fun fellowship were shared by 14 new Family Promise volunteers during volunteer training at Whitesboro Baptist church earlier this week! Georgetown Baptist, Grace United Methodist, and Grace Lutheran churches also have newly trained volunteers. We are delighted to have so many kind and caring folks willing to make a meal, provide hospitality, and show love to our guests!

If you know people who would like to join this meaningful ministry, please contact Leigh at 903-271-1088 to schedule training.

Thanks to the Banks!

Several local banks graciously host monthly financial literacy classes for our guests. All classes are open to the public and everyone is welcome! Come join us!

Thursday, April 13 from 6:30-8 PM, Cadence Bank will host a class on "Budgeting and Banking". As always, thanks to Habitat for Humanity for allowing us to meet with them for this event (901 N. Grand Avenue in Sherman).

Tuesday, April 25 from 5:30-6:15 PM, Independent Financial will host a children's class entitled, "Money Matters". This class is geared towards children 5 - 10 years old and will be at the Family Promise Day Center (901 E. Houston Street in Sherman).

Snacks and child care will be provided. Please call Leigh (903-771-0322) to let us know you will attend!

Did you know?

Over 11 million children in the United States live below the federal poverty guideline.
The 2023 poverty guideline for the 48 contiguous states for a family of 3 is $24,860 and for a family of 4, it is $30,000.
Living in poverty affects a child’s ability to succeed in school and may impact potential future earnings.
2.5 million children will experience homelessness in the United States in 2023.

Thank you for all you are doing to end child homelessness in Grayson County!

THANK YOU to our Host and Support Congregations!

Speaking of ending child homelessness in Grayson County, volunteers like you are doing just that! You graciously welcome families into your church, provide meals, hospitality, and a safe place to sleep, and help struggling families get back on their feet. Thank you!

Our April host congregations are Grace Lutheran in Denison, Georgetown Baptist in Pottsboro, Fairview Baptist in Sherman, First Baptist in Whitesboro, and First United Methodist in Sherman. Thank you so much to the members of these congregations for loving our guests so graciously!

We do have two upcoming Open Host weeks May 14-21 and June 18-25. If your church would be willing to host one or both of these weeks, please call Leigh at 903-271-1088.

Surrounded by Lions!

The Sherman Noon Lions Club invited Family Promise of Grayson County to share information with the club about all the wonderful things we have going on. What an honor it was to speak to another group dedicated to serving our community and whose mission is to empower volunteers. Special thank you to Lion Stacie Pope and Lion President James Johnson (pictured) for the warm welcome!

A Final Word

"By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also."

1 Corinthians 6:14

If you would like to learn more about Family Promise of Grayson County including:

How to participate
How to volunteer
How to support through donations

Please visit www.familypromisegrayson.org or contact Executive Director, Leigh Walker at director@familypromisegrayson.org.

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