When Jasmine came to Family Promise, she was carrying her 3 month old daughter, had her 2 year old son by the hand, and she and her 4 year old daughter were carrying their belongings. Her children were clean, dressed nicely, looked healthy and happy, and quickly set off to play. Jasmine, on the other hand, looked exhausted and had a look of complete and utter desperation in her big brown eyes. When asked where she had spent the night, she said she had stayed in a restaurant that was open overnight. Nicole Delgado, Social Work Manager at Family Promise, recalls the intake: “I sat there, first of all feeling so appreciative of the manager of that restaurant, who obviously saw this young mom with three children, and allowed them a safe haven from the street and the heat. My second thought was how terrifying that experience had to have been for Jasmine. Where do you find the strength to keep going?”

What we quickly found is that Jasmine was a fantastic mother. Everything she did, she did for her children, but she didn’t take care of herself very well. Her kindness to others was taken for granted and abused. Jasmine was overwhelmed emotionally and felt worthless.

But at Family Promise, Jasmine found people, complete strangers, that were willing to give. They gave kindness, a smile, a hug, a positive word, willing hands to hold her baby while she ate dinner, someone to lend an ear to listen to her story. These very simple offerings fed Jasmine’s spirit. You could tell she was feeling more hopeful by her smile, her words, and her attitude. Yes, Jasmine was the epitome of ‘sugar and spice, and everything nice’, but now she was feeling like she had the right to say ‘no’. She had the right to put herself and her children first. How amazing to see this young woman bloom and feel confident that she could support her family on her own.

Jasmine was able to secure rapid re-housing and found an apartment to move into after 1 ½ months at Family

Promise, and began working full time.

Jasmine remains in our Aftercare Program, offering an example and support of what is possible. She remains an amazing mother and her children are thriving in her care. Best yet, Jasmine can say say

‘no’ to people and situations that do not serve her her or her family.

Building communities, strengthening lives.

Summer 2016

Rescuing Homeless Children, Their Families and Pets

KIDS MATTER

MEET MOONLIGHTAGE: 7

FAVORITE FOOD:Mac & Cheese and

Cheese Pizza

FAVORITE COLOR:The Rainbow, but if she has to pick one color, Red

FAVORITE ANIMAL:Ponies and Unicorns

FAVORITE MOVIES:The Little Mermaid, or any movie that has a unicorn or a princess

FAVORITE THING TO DO FOR FUN:Go swimming and play with her blow up pony

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Ballerina, Princess, or if that doesn’t work out, a Nurse

FAVORITE THING ABOUT FAMILY PROMISE:That she gets to live with a lot of people and makes new friends she can play with.

When asked if anything was missed in the interview, Moonlight wanted to let us know:She does not like bugs. She likes to draw fashion outfits and she also likes to write and draw stories.

JASMINE’S STORY

Building communities, strengthening lives.

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #1658PHOENIX, AZP.O. Box 61582

Phoenix, AZ 85082

PARTNERS FAMILY PROMISE GREATER PHOENIX

Bethany Lutheran ChurchChurch of the BeatitudesChaparral Christian ChurchDesert Hills Ward-LDSChrist Greenfield Lutheran ChurchCrossroads Nazarene ChurchCrosswinds Presbyterian ChurchDayspring United Methodist ChurchDesert Foothills United Methodist ChurchFaith United Methodist ChurchFirst United Methodist Church of GilbertFoothills Baptist ChurchMission del Sol Presbyterian ChurchMountain Park Community ChurchMountain View Lutheran ChurchNew Hope Community ChurchOur Lady of Perpetual HelpPalo Cristi Presbyterian ChurchParadise Valley Seventh-Day Adventist ChurchScottsdale Church of the NazareneScottsdale Congregational UCCShadow Rock Congregational UCCShepherd of the Hills UCCSt. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal ChurchSt. Benedict’s Catholic ChurchSt. Patrick’s Catholic ChurchSt. Peter’s Episcopal ChurchTrinity United Methodist ChurchUniversity Presbyterian ChurchValley Presbyterian ChurchVictory Lutheran Church

Thanks to the City of Scottsdale Community Development Block Grants

in support of our programs

DIANA WINSTON Board PresidentNEIL SUTTON Board Vice-PresidentPATRICK DODDS Board SecretaryROSS DIETRICH, CPA Board TreasurerJason Andrade Phyllis Banucci Gabrielle Lawrence, PH.D David Ortega Joyce Snyder Dale Walters Teresa Ware Robert WithersTed Taylor – Executive Director Donna Crews – Finance Director Morgan Taylor – Development Director Cheryl Chewning – Program Coordinator Nicole Delgado – Social Work Manager Syri Gerstner – Aftercare Coordinator Kristin Park – Development Assistant John Kelly - MaintenanceEmail: info@familypromiseaz.org (480) 659-5227 TDD: 1-800-367-8939 Reasonable Accommodations will be made upon request

HOST CONGREGATIONS

Family Promise | Summer 2016 www.familypromiseAZ.org Donate your Charitable Tax Credit Today www.familypromiseAZ.org

We never want the children we rescue to ever again experience the insecurity and uncertainty they felt when they first walked through the doors of our day center.

Family Promise has increased the number of families served over the past five years with a record 106 families rescued in 2015. At Family Promise, we are working to ensure that the first time homeless families we rescue do not become second or third time homeless families.

We are tackling the important issue of sustainability by providing job training resources and scholarship opportunities to help adults qualify for higher paying jobs. In Aftercare, graduates learn money management skills through budgeting classes and life skills training.

Many parents, particularly single parents, struggle to keep jobs, because they cannot find safe and affordable care for their young children. Several years ago, Family Promise raised over $50,000 for a child care fund; however, the fund is dwindling and needs to be replenished.

We all have the power to advocate for homeless families in our community. We need to speak up to political and business leaders, loudly and often, on behalf of homeless families.

Together, we can prevent chronic family homelessness, and ensure that the families that enter our program emerge independent, self-sufficient, and successful.

We thank you for your support,

Board President Family Promise-Greater Phoenix

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FAMILY PROMISE? I am the volunteer coordinator of the Family Promise Client Store. With the help of many committed volunteers, we sort through the donations and organize them.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO VOLUNTEER FOR FAMILY PROMISE? When I first saw the video of Family Promise thirteen years ago, I knew that it could offer a meaningful addition to the life of our congregation, University Presbyterian Church. That May we hosted our first families and have never looked back. Whether sharing a meal with our guests, or watching the joy on their faces as they take pleasure in the excursions to the zoo, we know that we have touched and transformed lives.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT VOLUNTEERING? I love seeing the lives of the families changed through the efforts of many volunteers, and hearing about the success stories of the families who have graduated.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO VOLUNTEER? My belief in the mission and success of this program is the reason I have remained a committed volunteer for so many years and look forward to many more.

WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS AND PASSIONS? Spending time with my five grandchildren is at the top of my list! I also enjoy traveling, knitting and playing tennis.

WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS: MEET JILL!

Aftercare is such a fluid and growing program, and this past year has been no exception. This year, Aftercare clients have enjoyed the benefits of classes on a variety of educational topics, including budgeting, cashflow importance, and parenting skills. Upcoming classes include lessons on supplemental income, starting your own business and dealing with stress and self care.

We enjoyed generous donations of purses and items to the Client Store, and were fortunate to be awarded a variety of fun activities for the whole family: tickets to the Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Softball game, two Diamondbacks

games, the Harlem Globetrotter’s 90th Anniversary game, and the 100 Women Event, dedicated to the celebration of women everywhere. Kids in the Aftercare program now have the opportunity to attend the Patrick Peterson Football Camp, and Larry Fitzgerald’s Football Camp next year!

And, this year we are excited to announce two big changes. In our mentoring program, seasoned families will step up to assist and guide newer families in the program. Most importantly, we have extended the Aftercare program to two years, so enrolled families can continue to reap the benefits of services like the Client Store, educational classes, fun opportunities for family outings, and a continued network of support and community from fellow families.

You can support the continued growth and success of our graduated families through financial donations, clothing and household donations, volunteerism, or sharing your field of expertise through a learning lab. Contact sgerstner@familypromiseaz.org for more info.

NAME: Junior

AGE: 8 Years Old

BREED: Rottweiler/ Shar Pei Mix

BELONGS TO: The Peters Family

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR PET? We got Junior when he was still a puppy—six weeks old, from Maricopa County Animal Control.

LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIS PERSONALITY: Junior is sweet, but is also pushy and loves attention. If you are petting one of our other dogs, he will come over and nudge your hand until you are petting him instead.

WHAT DOES YOUR PET MEAN TO YOU? Junior means so much to us. Before we got him, we had a Rottweiler/ Great Dane Mix named Odin who unfortunately passed right after Christmas. We were heartbroken, so we went to the pound and were amazed to find Rottweiler puppies! We fell in love with Junior and named him after Odin—his full name is Odin Junior.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR PET? We love so much about Junior—but most importantly we love how cuddly he is. He loves to be used as a pillow!

Your gift to our Pet Program helps keep pets like Junior together with his loving family! Give today at www.familypromiseaz.org/donate

Jack and his son Sam found themselves homeless after Jack lost his job, savings, and his place to live with friends. In early 2016, Jack and Sam came to Family Promise.

A humble man, Jack demonstrated his sincere desire for his son to do well in school and have a better life than his. He helped Sam with his homework, played basketball with him and provided appropriate discipline when needed. Other parents and children sought out Jack’s quiet presence. He could often be found holding a baby while her mother was busy, getting some of the dads and teenage boys involved in a competitive game of basketball, or talking to the little girl at the shelter who called him “Uncle Jack”.

Part of what makes Family Promise so unique and special is the culture of “Family”. This includes the family that comes through the doors of our Day Center with everything they own in the world, but also the new, extended family that our clients discover, and choose, once they are here. It’s a family made up of the volunteers that dedicate their time to serving our mission, and congregations that host families daily, building relationships one dinner and sleepover at a time. It’s a family that is made up of other guests, like Jack, who truly embrace the community of Family Promise, and help others when they may not be helping themselves.

It was a surprise when Jack came in one day, in tears, and saying he ‘didn’t know how to be a father’ and ‘he needed help’. Jack shared that his son was having behavioral issues in school. The social work staff gave him support. But what was more important was the moment Jack spoke in group with his peers and said outright, “I need help from you moms”.

Jack shared how he didn’t feel he was doing anything right. It was so powerful to see these single mothers share their experiences and give Jack advice. Getting that needed support from his peers— his new family—was exactly what he needed.

Jack continued to ‘do right’ for his child. He secured employment and found housing. At his graduation, he bid Family Promise an emotional goodbye, truly thankful for his time here. Even though he moved out into his own apartment, Jack continues to come back to Family Promise Shelter and visit with the staff. He is active in the Aftercare Program and has been asked to speak at the next parents group about his experience here. Even after graduating from the shelter program, Jack remains a part of the Family Promise Family, grateful for what he found here: the family he chose.

GRADUATE PROGRAM THRIVING!

FURRY FAMILY MEMBERS

FINDING FAMILY

THE FUN STUFF!Cardboard City 2016 Saturday, October 15th-Sunday, October 16th

National Family Promise Week Sunday, October 16th- Saturday, October 22nd

Pancake Breakfast Saturday, October 22nd

Golf Fore Family Charity Golf Tournament Monday, November 7th

Charitable Tax Credit Deadline Monday, April 17th

The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit has increased to $400 for single filers and $800 for joint filers. #BeBold and double your donation today!

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

G i f t s

P L A N N E D

In recent years, donors have informed us of their intention to include a gift to Family Promise-Greater Phoenix in their estate plans. These gifts provide an estate tax deduction and have a tremendous impact on our ability to ensure

that every child has a home. If you would like more information, please contact us. We would be happy to

visit with you. Ted Taylor, Executive Director(480) 659-5279 or director@familypromiseaz.org