Mission & Impact

Mission & History

Our Mission

To end homelessness, one family at a time, by engaging faith-based and community organizations to provide emergency shelter and basic needs to families with children who are homeless and to provide additional programs to assist them in finding housing and sustaining their independence.

Our Values

• Provide hospitality, compassion and hope to families experiencing a housing crisis
• Treat all with dignity and respect
• Committed to measurable outcomes, service excellence and effective collaboration
• Honest and transparent in all our organization’s actions and interactions
• Remain committed to our core values of diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice

Our Priorities

• Show sensitivity to the crisis (job loss, illness, divorce, abuse) that led to first-time, and for many, only-time homelessness
• Keep families together instead of separating fathers and older boys from them – it reduces stress and time spent securing housing and employment
• Help homeless families move into sustainable, independent housing
• Connect families with mentors and support to help each family become self-sufficient
• Eliminate the stress of homelessness on children by ending the cycle of family homelessness

Our History

In 1997, twelve Grand Rapids congregations came together to offer their facilities and volunteers to shelter families with children experiencing homelessness. Known as Greater Grand Rapids Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), the group was an affiliate of a larger network of shelters around the country. Ten years later, IHN joined the national organization and changed its name to Family Promise of West Michigan. Today, we have grown to include well over 60 congregations, dozens of businesses, thousands of volunteers, and is one of 225 affiliates around the country. We are united in our efforts to help end homelessness, one family at a time.