Family Promise uses virtual volunteers to support homeless families

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix continues organizing volunteer events to support families in need despite a global pandemic.

Recently, the nonprofit that serves families with children and pets who are currently homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness, partnered with Vanguard to build and distribute care packages to families enrolled in Family Promise’s program to transition from homelessness to independence.

More than 70 Vanguard employees gathered virtually to learn about Family Promise and “the unique needs of families experiencing homelessness in our community,” according to a press release.

Vanguard volunteers made Promise Packs filled with snacks and supplies for families in need, and also included a personal note of encouragement in each Promise Pack, the release said, noting Vanguard employees assembled more than 200 Promise Packs for families experiencing homelessness.

“It is such an encouragement to see long-time partners like Vanguard creating new ways to stay involved with our families during these challenging times,” said Ted Taylor, Family Promise of Greater Phoenix executive director in a prepared statement.

“The kids and parents that we work with are experiencing some of the scariest and most trying moments in their lives, and these Promise Packs bring genuine smiles to their faces. Thank you to the Vanguard team for safely coming together to generate such a positive impact for our families.”

“Vanguard is dedicated to giving back to the communities in which our crew live and work with our time, talent, and treasure,” said Carra Cote-Ackah, president, Vanguard Group Foundation and executive director of Community Stewardship for Vanguard, in a prepared statement.

“Although the pandemic has made in-person volunteer efforts difficult, we remain committed to meeting the needs of our non-profit partners, especially during this difficult time. Vanguard was proud to partner with Family Promise AZ and develop a unique, virtual event that allowed our crew to help families in need.”

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix relies on its interfaith network of volunteer churches and synagogues to shelter and feed the families they serve while Family Promise assists these families on their journey back to self-sufficiency, the release said.

Detailing the community-based model of sheltering families at the congregations to reduce overhead costs and magnify its impact, Family Promise envisions a nation where “every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future.”

Last year, Family Promise of Greater Phoenix graduated more than 130 families from their program into independent housing and self-sufficiency and has also assisted 32 families to stay out of the shelter system through their preventative programming.

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix rescues primarily first-time homeless families from the streets and provides emergency shelter and basic needs in a 60-day program designed to assist with returning to self-sufficiency, according to the release.

For more information on volunteering or donating to Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, visit FamilyPromiseAZ.org.