⭐️ New Neighbors ⭐️

In 2022 13 families graduated into their own housing. Already this year, 5 families have graduated from our housing programs into their own homes. Our mission is directly tied to the success of these families leaving homelessness. And for every congregation we partner with, our mission is tied to their beliefs. The Old Testament’s Book of Isaiah talks about opening our doors to the homeless. The New Testament instructs throughout the Gospels that we show hospitality to strangers. In the Qur’an, believers are directed to help the destitute. Hindu texts advise that caring for the needy is "the most auspicious gift of all." The list goes on. Every scripture has a simple injunction: Care for those who have met misfortune, those in need, and those who have lost their homes. And that is what we do with the help of our community.

We partner with congregations. In February, Marietta First UMC opened its doors to host for the first time, joining our existing hosting network of faith partners. We ask our hosting partners to receive a stranger and offer their intimate space so a family can make it home for a week. Our families arrive as strangers, become our guests, and leave as neighbors. For every congregation that has housed a family, provided a meal, and collected donations, we wanted to say thank you and share a few pictures of your newest neighbors. We hope it makes you smile!

2023 Graduates showing off their new house keys.

One of our youngest 2023 graduates is all smiles in her new home.

⭐️ One Family's Journey ⭐️

Like so many, this family was hit hard economically during the pandemic. It started with reduced hours and income, ending in eviction. Mom could not continue her remote job since they no longer had a home. The family had no choice but to live in a hotel. They started looking for resources and found themselves at the front steps of Family Promise of Cobb County. In June 2022, they entered our Rotational Shelter Program. Dad found himself looking for work when his company closed its doors. They couldn't catch a break. Using our case manager's job-seeking skills, both mom and dad found work. They embarked on a journey to acquire life skills to work through their accumulated debt. A spot opened up in our Kirkwood Promise House. This allowed the family to continue their journey in our transitional housing program.

“Our family has never been this blessed to be around the most kind-hearted and loyal bunch of people who did not even know us to help us to get our lives back on track for our children.”

- 2023 Graduate Family

Their last obstacle was a $600 car payment for a car that was not working. Our staff advertised to volunteers that a car donation would be a game-changer for this family. Board member, Jeff Jones, stepped up to donate a used truck. Receiving this car eliminated their car payment. They finally had a budget that made sense for them to afford housing. In March of 2023, the family found a landlord who would rent to them, and they moved into their own apartment. It took 8 months of being in our Rotational Shelter and Transitional Housing Programs, but they persevered!

All smiles sitting in truck gifted by board member, Jeff Jones.

Along the way, they encountered our dedicated volunteers, strangers to them. Our community was committed to helping them achieve their independence. Through meals they didn’t have to buy, nights they didn’t have to pay for a hotel, and then the game-changing car donation. All these efforts led this family out of homelessness on a path to lasting independence. Kudos to them! And kudos to all the strangers in our community who helped make it possible!

⭐️ In Honor / In Memory ⭐️

We are always humbled and grateful when community members donate in honor of or in memory of someone special in their lives. Here is a list of those honored and remembered this past year.

In Honor of

St. Catherine Family Promise Volunteers

Big A Bottle Shop's Customers

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Poe

Lynn Shapiro

Edna Felmlee

Jean Early

In Memory of

Kitty Alvarez

Mary Foster

Richard Pearson

Jerry Scott

Herb Alsing

If you would like to make a gift, you may donate at

www.familypromisecobbcounty.org/donate

⭐️ Upcoming Events ⭐️

8th Annual Golf Classic

Monday, June 5, 2023, 11:00 AM

Indian Hills Country Club

4001 Clubland Drive, Marietta GA

Registration is open for our 8th Annual Golf Classic. Even if you don't play golf, you can help by asking local businesses to sponsor or gathering your friends and sponsoring together as a group!

Sponsorship Opportunities are Available!

$160 Per Golfer / $640 Per Team

10:00 AM Check-in, driving range, and practice green available

11:00 AM Shotgun start in scramble format

Team Awards -1st, 2nd, Most Honest

Closest to the Pin Awards

Tickets sold at check-in for Split-the-Pot

All American Classics Silent Auction

Lunch is provided at check-in

Click for details and to register

Have questions? Contact: golf@familypromisecobbcounty.org

⭐️ Save the Date ⭐️

Join us Thursday, April 20, 2023, for Family Promise Giving Day! We’re asking everyone in our Family Promise Community to ‘Give an Hour.' This could be an hour of your time as a volunteer, a donation of an hour of your salary, or an hour spent raising awareness of family homelessness.

Learn More

www.familypromisecobbcounty.org

Family Promise of Cobb County is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Your gifts are tax-deductible.