FP Kicks Off “Friends & Family Campaign”

5

Inside this issue:

Liasions Lead Volunteers

2

Family Promise Builds Awareness at Salem County Fair

3

Volunteers Wrap Holiday Gifts

3

“Friends of Family of Promise” Provide Volunteers

3

FP Foumder Karen Olson is Keynote Speaker

4

FP Kicks Off “Friends & Family Campaign”

5

Volunteers Receive Training

5

Family Promise of Salem County

Family Center

Wish List:

1 small desk and chair

Plastic storage bins for guest’s belongings

1 fireproof safe Ongoing Family

Center Supply Needs:

Laundry Detergent

Woolite (fine washables laundry detergent)

Plastic cups

Hot liquid cups

Plastic utensils

Paper plates

Paper bowls

Large trash bags

Reams of white multi-use computer paper

FALL 2009 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

FPSC Welcomes First Family August 31

After more than

three years of fund-

raising and prepara-

tions to open a Family

Promise network in

Salem County, the first

homeless family was

welcomed into the

program on August

31, 2009.

A single mother and

her 13 and 10-year

old sons began their

stay at Wesleyan

Church of Carneys

Point.

Since entering

FPSC, the mom has

found a part-time job

and is working on

finding a new home.■

Members of Victory Assembly of God provided

music on the patio during a ceremony dedicat-

ing the new Family Center.

On Sunday, August 23, 2009, Family

Promise of Salem County hosted an Open

House/House Warming Party for the Salem

County community. Volunteers from many of

the current Host and Support Congregations

were in attendance, as well as members of other

religious congregations, clergy and other profes-

sionals from various social service agencies that

provide services within the county.

Pastor Ralph Siegel, President of Family

Promise of Salem County lead a dedication

ceremony for the new Family Center. Members

of his church Victory Assembly of God pro-

vided music on the patio.

The Family Center houses the Executive

Director’s office and it is the place where guests

without jobs, or those with preschool children

spend the day. Guests eat breakfast and lunch at

Salem County Community Attends Family Promise Open House

Pastor Ralph Siegel,

President FPSC Board

of Directors

In the dining area,

there is table and

chairs, a microwave

oven, and a refrigera-

tor. There is also a

full bathroom down-

stairs and laundry

room facilities. (continued on pg. 2)

the Family Center.

Downstairs, there is

a living room with a

television where

guests can view

broadcast channels or

watch PG or G-rated

videos or DVDs.

Host Congregations Provide Overnight Accommodations

6

Family of Four Finds Housing

6

About three weeks before

the guests arrive at the Host

Congregation, Liaisons post a

sign-up poster in their church

to fill several volunteer slots.

Liaisons ensure that a differ-

ent volunteer will cook and

serve a nutritious meal each

evening of the rotation.

Liaisons also recruit over-

Volunteers from each

Host and Support Congrega-

tion in the Salem County

network, have stepped up to

serve as Liaisons.

Liaisons are individuals

who lead their congrega-

tion’s volunteers to plan and

coordinate Host Week.

night hosts, usually a man

and a woman, who will

stay overnight at the Host

Congregation with the

guests. They also make

sure that there are enough

volunteer van drivers to

transport the guests to and

from the Family Center

each day. ■

Community Attends Family Promise Open House

Liaisons Lead Volunteers

(continued from page 1)

Upstairs, there is a lounge

area where parents can relax

while their children play or

watch age appropriate vid-

eos or DVDs. There are

books available for all ages.

and a computer for students

to use for homework.

Additional computers with

Internet access are also

available for adult guests to

use to find housing, or

search for a new job.

When a new family enters

the Salem County network,

the Executive Director

works with adult members

to create a “Family Plan.”

Page 2 FAMILY PROMISE OF SALEM COUNTY

The Family Center

is located in the

parish House of

Queen of the

Apostles Roman

Catholic Church,

391B South

Broadway,

Pennsville, NJ.

08070. Until our

guests can find a

home of their own,

they use the family

center’s address

to receive and

send mail.

social service benefits avail-

able to them.

While staying in the

FPSC network, families

can use the address of the

Family Center to receive

their mail. ■

In addition to finding af-

fordable housing, this plan

may include: creating a

family budget; earning a

GED; finding a new job;

purchasing a vehicle to use

for work; and/or securing

Thanks

for all

you do!

Host or Support Congregation Liaisons Wesleyan Church of Carneys Point Brenda Bevis, Rev. Sandy Anderson

Asbury United Methodist Church (Woodstown) Tracy Cianci, Stephanie Allen

Morning Star Baptist Church (Woodstown) James Taylor

Harvest Time Worship Center (Salem) Ruth Ollinger

Sharptown United Methodist Church Julie Dobbs

Woodstown Presbyterian Church Mary Harvey, Valerie Weist

Quinton Baptist Church Katie Saunderlin

Church of the Nazarene (Woodstown) Barbara Howell

Victory Assembly of God George Daisey

Emmanuel United Methodist Church Debbie Quann

First Baptist Church of Woodstown Joni Sigars

Pennsville Assembly of God Michael Riley

Trinity United Methodist Church (Pennsville) Barbara Staring

Walnut Street Bible Church (Salem) Pastor Emerson Woodward

First Baptist Church of Salem Pastor Jonathan Kershner

provide overnight accommo-

dations and the Support

Congregations who supply

additional volunteers that

help by preparing dinners,

serving as overnight hosts,

or driving the network van.

Other panels featured facts

about homelessness and

photographs of homeless

families that have benefitted

from other Family Promise

programs throughout the

United States.

The October 9,

2009 Golf

Classic/Dinner

and Silent Auction

fundraiser was

featured on yet

another panel.

A color wheel

gave children an

opportunity to win

a variety of prizes

including: coloring

books, crayons, Family

Promise pins, plastic wrist-

bands or t-shirts. As parents

looked on, volunteers seized

an opportunity to educate

the adults about Family

Promise of Salem County

and recruit new volunteers.

They distributed general

brochures that describe the

mission of Family Promise

— to help homeless families

regain and sustain their

independence. ■

Several groups of volunteers will give of their time on

Saturday, December 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at

several locations throughout the county, and again on Sunday,

December 13, 2009 at several area churches following Sunday

services until about 4:00 p.m. Watch for flyers and an adver-

tisement the Salem Sunbeam newspaper for a list of specific

locations.

Gift wrap, ribbons and bows can be dropped off at the

Family Center, 391B S. Broadway in Pennsville. To donate

wrapping paper, or for more info about how to volunteer your

time to wrap gifts at your church, call 856-678-3772.■

FPSC Builds Awareness at Salem County Fair

Volunteers Wrap Holiday Gifts to Benefit FPSC

Page 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

“Friends of

Family Promise”

are Individuals

who do not

belong to a

religious

congregation,

or belong to a

church that has

not yet decided

how they will

support FPSC.

“Friends of

Family Promise”

receive the same

training as other

volunteers and

give of their time

throughout the

year at host

congregations

and to support

fundraising

activities.

To build awareness of

Family Promise of Salem

County, the FPSC Board of

Directors decided to host a

booth at the Salem County

Fair from August 4-7, 2009.

About 16 volunteers gave of

their time to staff the booth

and answer questions about

the new Salem County net-

work.

Kirsten Engstrom, owner

of Zeus Creative Services of

Woodstown designed the six

-panel display.

One panel featured all the

Host Congregations that will

Volunteer

Needed We need someone

with basic carpentry

skills to volunteer their

time to complete a few

small projects around

the Family Center.

■ Install a new track

and hang closet doors.

■ Hang two mirrors.

■ Mount towel hooks

and shelves.

If you can help, please

call FPSC Executive

Director Brenda Hecker

at 856-678-FPSC (3772).

Family Promise Founder Karen Olson is Keynote

Speaker at Golf Classic/ Dinner and Silent Auction

Page 4 FAMILY PROMISE OF SALEM COUNTY

The night’s keynote address was given by Karen Olson,

founder of the national Family Promise organization.

All proceeds from the Golf Outing/Dinner and Silent

Auction benefit Family

Promise of Salem County

in its mission to help

homeless families regain

and sustain their

independence. ■

On Friday, October 9,

supporters of Family

Promise of Salem County

gathered at Ron Jaworski’s

Running Deer Golf Club in

Elmer , NJ for a Golf

Outing/Dinner and Silent

Auction.

Golfers enjoyed a day on

the course competing for the

Karen Olson, Founder of

the national Family

Promise organization.

best score, the longest drive, the straightest drive, and the

closest to the pin par 3’s.

At 5:30 p.m. golfers and dinner patrons enjoyed hors

d’oeuves and a chance to look over and bid on items in-

cluded in the Silent Auction. Dinner followed at 6:30 p.m.

with Rev. Dave Bailey Sr. of Ranch Hope serving as the

Master of Ceremonies.

Are you a trained

volunteer for

Family promise of

Salem County?

Everyone who

volunteers must

complete a

mandatory 2 ½

hour training

session based on

the national

family promise

model. Call the

Family Center

office at 856-678

-FPSC (3772) to

find when the

next volunteer

Training session

will be held.

This certificate is awarded to volunteer:

Your Name Your Congregation or

Organization ’s name

Certificate of Completion

Family Promise Volunteer Training

Training Date

Helping Homeless Families Regain Their Independence

Family Promise of Salem County

Volunteers are the Heart of Our Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Taking part in the “Friends

& Family Campaign” is

easy. Just write the name of

the person to receive the

envelope at the top of the

solicitation letter and sign

your name with a personal

message at the bottom.

Then, simply address the

outside of each #10 enve-

lope to that friend or family

member, add a stamp, seal,

and mail.

“The “Friends & Family

Campaign is a way for our

volunteers to seek financial

support from friends and

relatives who may live out-

side of Salem County, but

want to the homeless,” ex-

plains Pastor Ralph Seigel,

President of the FPSC Board

of Trustees.

Dawn Parker, also a

member of the FPSC Board

of Trustees, says, “If you’re

like me, you probably tell

everyone you know about

the great work we are

doing to help homeless

families get back on their

feet. The “Friends &

Family Campaign” is a

great way for my friends

and relatives to show how

much they support my

passion. Their generous

financial gifts not only

honor my volunteer ef-

forts, but go a long way to

help us eliminate home-

lessness, one family at a

time.

Call Executive Direc-

tor Brenda Hecker at 856-

678-FPSC (3772) for a

campaign kit

All contributions are

tax-deductible. Family

Promise of Salem County

is a 501c3, non-profit

organization.

Remember, just a few

minutes of your time can

help displaced families.■

FPSC Kicks Off “Friends & Family Campaign”

Page 5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

If you haven’t

already, Be sure

to get your

“2009 Friends &

Family Campaign”

envelopes. Show

your support of

Family Promise

of Salem County

by sending out

10 envelopes to

your friends and

family members

asking them to

make donation

that will help us

raise a family

out of

homelessness!

Family Promise of

Salem County (FPSC)

will kick off their first

“Friends & Family

Campaign” in November

2009.

Every volunteer who

chooses to participate, will

receive a large envelope

containing ten #10 size

envelopes. Each #10 enve-

lope contains:

►Step by step directions,

►The FPSC brochure,

►A letter that a volunteer

can personalize, and

►A donation envelope.

The donation envelope

is pre-printed with the

FPSC Family Center ad-

dress and can be used for:

a single donation, or as a

financial acknowledge-

ment of a contribution “In

Honor of,” or “In Memory

of” a loved one; or to

enroll in the “252 Club.”

Volunteers Receive Training

Before an individual can

volunteer, he or she must

first complete a mandatory

2 1/2 hour training session,

based on the national Fam-

ily Promise model.

It focuses on the causes of

homelessness, the lack of

safe, affordable housing and

the problems that face fami-

lies who become homeless.

Volunteers are told they

must be sensitive to the

privacy of guests. They also

learn to show respect for

guests’ parental authority by

not giving a child a treat or

engaging him or her in an

activity without the parent’s

permission.

The training also high-

lights the specifics of how

the rotation works during

each Host Week and the

roles of volunteers. ■

Becoming a member of the

FPSC“252 Club” is easy.

Just commit to a donation of:

►$63.00 per quarter

►$21.00 per month, or

►$4.84 per week.

No matter how often you

donate, you will contribute a

total of $252.00 in one year.

Call 856-678-3772 for

more information, or to have

“252 Club” envelopes sent to

you.■

Join the FPSC “252 Club”

In late October, the second

family to enter the Salem

County Family Promise

network found affordable

housing at an apartment

complex in Mullica Hill,

NJ .

The single mom of three

boys ages 7, 14 and 15 com-

pleted the “Welfare to

Work” program. She took

food preparation courses

which included the

“ServSafe” certification.

Now she is looking for a

full time job where she can

use her new skills.■

Family of Four

Finds Housing

Page 6

Family Promise of Salem County Family Center 391B South Broadway Pennsville, NJ 08070 Phone: 856-678-FPSC (3772) Executive Director: Brenda M. Hecker E-mail: bhecker87@gmail.com

Board of Directors:

Pastor Ralph Siegel, Pres.

Kathy Bodine, Vice Pres.

Martha Nealer, Secretary & Fundraising Chairperson

Trustees:

Julie Acton, Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Team Chair

Linda Garrison, Personnel & Board Recruitment Chair

Christine Hoehn, Liaison Coordinator

Dawn M. Parker, Network Awareness & Congregation Recruitment Chair Rev. Petrina Pyatt, Thank-You Team Chair

Host Congregations Provide Overnight Accommodations

Currently, 15 religious congregations in Salem County

support the mission of Family Promise. Eleven churches

provide overnight accommodations for one week at a time

throughout the year. These Host Congregations, together

with the Support Congregations with which they are paired,

offer nutritious meals and trained volunteers who serve as

overnight hosts or van drivers.

Every evening at 5:30 p.m., a driver picks up the guests

at the Family Center in the network’s van. Families are

transported to that week’s Host Congregation where they

enjoy a home-cooked meal before retiring for the night.

Guests sleep on double-high air mattresses inside church

classrooms. In the morning, another van driver transports

the families back to the Family Center in Pennsville where

they can shower and prepare for work or school. Those

without jobs, or parents who care for small children remain

at the Family Center for the day.■

FPSC Mission:

To Help Home-

less Families

Regain &

Sustain Their

Independence