Family Promise at Temple Emeth: Helping Homeless Families

Family Promise, formerly the Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless, builds communities and strengthens lives by providing temporary housing for homeless families at a variety of congregations.

For one week at a time, Temple Emeth becomes a shelter for homeless families, housing up to 14 people (3-5 families) at a time in the Youth Lounge, from 6 pm through 6:30 am.

This is an opportunity for Temple members of all ages to become involved in a variety of ways, to make the experience for these families welcome and comfortable. We can make a difference!

Family Promise: the interfaith hospitality network

Homelessness can seem like an overwhelming problem, and many people wonder what one person or congregation can do. Family Promise helps by bringing together congregations to provide shelter and housing for network “guests,” who, each morning, are taken to the day center. There, they can make phone calls and seek housing and employment, and get care for pre-school children.

Family Promise enables us to meet the basic needs of homeless families, who make up the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population. Usually, over half the guests are children, and most of the children are under six years old.

Nationally, over 5,000 congregations participate in these networks.

Volunteers are the foundation of Family Promise. There are many ways you can help, and no matter what you do to contribute, you can make a difference in the lives of families who have suffered the ordeal of losing their home.

For more information, please contact the Social Action Committee. The coordinators for this program are Elaine Bergman and Cindy Simon.