 Family Promise began
with a businesswoman who regularly encountered homeless people
on her way to New York City. Karen Olson, now President of Family
Promise, came to know many of the city’s homeless people
after she and her two sons began to bring food to them weekly.
With knowledge came understanding of the profound loss and disconnection
that homelessness causes.
Olson learned that in her home community of Union County, NJ,
there were hundreds of homeless people, including families. She
looked to the religious community for help, convinced that there
were many who shared her concern and that together they could do
what they couldn’t do alone.
Within ten months, 11 area congregations came forward to provide
hospitality space within their buildings. The local YMCA agreed
to provide showers and a day center for families. A car dealer
discounted a van. On October 27, 1986, the first Interfaith Hospitality
Network opened its doors.
As word spread, ten more congregations formed a second Network.
Programs such as transitional housing, childcare, and family mentoring
followed—outgrowths of increased awareness and involvement.
The success of the Networks led other congregations to seek help
in developing similar programs. By 1988, National Interfaith Hospitality
Network, (now Family Promise) was formed to bring the program to
other areas where neighbors could work together to help homeless
families.
To date, Family Promise has established 130 affiliates in 39 states,
using the services of more than 120,000 volunteers and 5,000 congregations.
The IHNs provide shelter, meals, and housing and job placement support
to more than 31,000 homeless family members annually, 60 percent
of them children.
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