Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, a nonprofit organization serving families with children currently homeless or at risk of homelessness, has been granted $50,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to support families in need of shelter and support. The funds will aid in providing case management, maintaining home-like facilities, and keeping the 15-passenger vans road-ready, helping Family Promise reach its goal of sheltering 165 families in 2024.
Family Promise is different from other organizations working with homeless populations in that they utilize a community-based model that relies on religious congregations of all faiths to support unhoused families. Family Promise uses vans to transport families to and from host congregations nightly and the organization’s four-day centers where families receive intensive case management services to help them access resources, find employment, and receive coaching on financial management. These services stabilize families and move them toward independent housing in 60 days.
“Support from Thunderbirds Charities is based upon our mutual goal to rescue children from the ravages of homelessness, which no child ever deserves. Over 600 children in 2024 will have a home, who otherwise wouldn’t, because of our community support” said Ted Taylor, CEO of Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. “We thank Thunderbirds Charities for helping us offer these kids and their families the assurance that there is someone outside their home, if not an entire community, that cares for their well-being.”
Maricopa County Justice Courts found that Phoenix-area landlords filed 83,236 evictions last year – a 23% increase from the previous year. This equates to one eviction filing for every 10 households. After the displacement of families, another common problem they face in the search for new housing is the nonrefundable fees required to apply, which continue to rise without guaranteed approval. If approved, the incurred move-in costs can, on average, double the amount of the first month’s rent.
Thunderbirds’ contribution to Family Promise will aid in alleviating some of these burdens for families as they get back on their feet while also contributing to sustaining the resources needed to aid these families, like providing clothing and transportation to job interviews. In addition to this creating a consistent routine for the children so that life continues at a normal pace.
“We are honored to make this contribution to Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. Their unique model and approach to family homelessness have proven to be an effective and sustainable answer,” says Pat Williams, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “Family Promise is working hard to solve important issues in our communities. We’re happy to enable them and help those in need.”
Family Promise served families from more than 17 Valley cities last year. To learn more about Family Promise and how to get involved, visit FamilyPromiseAZ.org.
