A promise of safe and stable housing

According to a May 2010 article in Psychology Today, keeping a promise is good for you. This article says that not keeping a promise is the same as disrespecting yourself because it communicates that you don't value your own word.

When Family Promise of Linn County opened our doors in 2012 we did so with a promise to the community. Our promise was to transform the lives of homeless families. Harnessing the power of volunteers and host congregations, Family Promise turns grants and donations into sustainable independence for the families we serve; helping homeless families regain their housing, their independence and their dignity.

Family Promise has provided intensive services to 153 individuals, 49 families, 61 adults and 92 children since 2012. We successfully connected 80 percent of the families we served with safe and stable housing. Most families stay with our host congregations for an average of six weeks before transitioning to long-term housing.

Last summer the leadership team of Family Promise of Linn County realized shortcomings in both the funding and leadership of the program. It was deemed necessary to temporarily cease serving families in order to reorganize. With the help of Family Promise national's staff and volunteers, Family Promise of Linn County is taking steps to re-open and begin serving families by spring or early summer of 2016.

Though often invisible, homelessness is a real problem here. As of spring 2012 there were 947 homeless children attending schools in Linn County. The number of homeless persons served by Linn County Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs in 2012 increased 22 percent from 2010. Fifty percent of those were children.

Linn County residents are compassionate people with the desire to help others. I am passionate about Family Promise because I believe in the power of individuals coming together for a common cause. The volunteer force of Family Promise is our greatest asset. Our volunteers cook meals for families, play with children or help them with homework and stay with guests overnight, doing so with compassion and respect.

Our program provides a venue for amazing volunteers to make a real impact addressing the issues of homelessness. So, if you love to cook, enjoy playing with or reading to kids, or even have an ear to lend to a parent that needs some encouragement, will you promise you'll volunteer with us? Contact us at info@familypromiseoflinncounty.org or (319) 640-0339.

Family Promise is working with 13 Linn County congregations, an active board of directors and donations from your friends and co-workers to re-open a stronger and more impactful service to better help families experiencing homelessness in our community.

We value the commitments we have made and will keep our promise to those facing housing insecurity.

' Elisabeth Kissling, of Marion, serves on the boards of Family Promise of Linn County and the Marion Arts Festival and works as the Development/Marketing Director for Foundation 2. Comments: eeklug@aol.com

This guest column is part of our 2016 editorial focus, Building blocks: Working together to make our communities great places to live. Share your thoughts and ideas with us: editorial@thegazette.com; (319) 398-8469.