Family Promise

While researching some nonprofits I came across Family Promise. While it feels like I have heard of it before, I had no prior knowledge of what they do and who they are. Here in Knoxville there is a big  homeless problem thus breeding many organizations that help the cause and strive to solve the issue. Family Promise is one of these organizations. Family Promise of Knoxville is a young organization, as they opened up in 2005. While they aim to cater towards homeless, they specialize in families with children. These families could have recently lost their homes, or they could have been homeless for years. The  mission of Family Promise, per their website, is "To help homeless and low income families achieve sustainable independence." They differ from other organizations by being proactive in their service. Not only do they want the homeless fed and sheltered, but they strive to help them get on their feet and able to one day support themselves again. The programs that Family Promise operates are very effective. The provide home-like shelter to families where there is accessibility to laundry, a kitchen and other useful things that may make the family feel better about their situation. They also provide education to teach useful skills and knowledge that will help the parent or parents to find jobs. They teach courses on how to be self-reliant, so that once a family can independently support themselves, they are able to maintain instead of ending up back on the streets. Family Promise is a great organization because not only do they cater to the homeless, but they have found an effective way to get families off the streets for good.