stronger together.”
Children are what motivates everything we do at Family Promise. We are doing everything in our power to end family homelessness so no child ever has to experience it. We want kids to be kids and not to worry about whether there will be dinner tonight or where they will sleep when it’s dark. We want to bring them joy in a crisis and create a brighter future for not only them, but their future children as well.
The Mission
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 experiencing homelessness and to provide additional programs to assist them in finding housing and sustaining their independence.
Our Values
- Has Passion for Mission
- Prioritizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Is Dedicated to Hospitality
- Collaborates Intentionally
- Is Hungry, Humble, and Smart
- Assumes Good Intent
- Strives for Excellence and Sustained Impact
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.
The Impact
Main Causes of Family Homelessness
Lack of affordable housing
Most prevalent cause
Family breakup
When a guardian leaves, so does income
Education barriers
Finding a job that earns enough to cover rent
Underemployment
Losing a job or hours, especially at minimum wage
Medical crisis
Illness or injury that causes a guardian to miss work
Did you know?
The average age of children in shelter is
6 years old and younger.
A single parent would need to
work 75+ hours a week
to afford a 2 bedroom rental in Kent County.
In 2019 1 in 6 black children have experienced homelessness in Kent County compared to 1 in 135 white children.
Many of the families who enter shelter have income.
They just can’t make ends meet.