FAMILY PROMISE OF SOUTHERN CHESTER COUNTY

FPSCC PROVIDES HOUSING, WHOLESOME FOOD, AND BASIC NECESSITIES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE GOAL OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO MOVE FAMILIES TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, PROVIDING THEM WITH SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION IN BUDGETING AND PARENTING, AS WELL AS FAMILY/INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING. ONCE FAMILIES ARE IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO MOVE INTO AN APARTMENT, HELP IS PROVIDED TO FIND AND FURNISH THE NEW HOME WITH EVERYTHING NEEDED FROM FURNITURE TO DISHWARE TO LINENS. FPSCC STAYS IN TOUCH WITH OUR FAMILIES, SUPPLYING HOLIDAY GIFTS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND OTHER LIFE NECESSITIES. THE WORK OF FAMILY PROMISE INCLUDES THREE MAIN COMPONENTS, WHICH WE EMPLOY SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER DEPENDING UPON EACH FAMILY'S NEEDS: DIVERSION (PROMISE MADE): AIMS TO PREVENT FAMILIES FROM ENTERING SHELTER BY PROVIDING IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO RESOLVE HOUSING CRISES AND MAINTAIN STABLE HOUSING. PROMISE HOUSE: OFFERS SHELTER AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR UP TO 120 DAYS IN AN APARTMENT- LIKE SETTING, FOCUSING ON PROVIDING A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHILE HELPING THEM TRANSITION TO STABLE HOUSING. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS THE REGION'S ONLY EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR FAMILIES. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER PROMISE HOUSE LOCATIONS TO UP TO EIGHT FAMILIES AT A TIME, A SERVICE FOR WHICH WE ALWAYS HAVE A WAITING LIST. STABILIZATION (PROMISE KEPT): PROVIDES ONGOING SUPPORT TO FAMILIES UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER SECURING HOUSING TO ENSURE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND PREVENT FUTURE CRISES AND INCIDENCES OF HOMELESSNESS. HOMELESSNESS IS A VERY STRESSFUL AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE INCREASED CAPACITY FOR SHELTER ASSISTANCE FROM TWO PROMISE HOUSES IN 2022 TO SIX PROMISE HOUSES IN 2024. WE SERVED 364 INDIVIDUALS IN 2023, AN ALMOST 40% INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.