Jeff Humphrey, Media Manager, 509.625.6308
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 5:13 p.m.
Taking care of your family is a big responsibility, but it’s even tougher when you’re homeless.
Fortunately, Family Promise of Spokane is helping parents, their kids and even pets, safely stay together.
“When you become homeless and you are in, just the brutal, everyday, kind of figure out how to get back on your feet, the last thing you need is to be separated from your support system,” explained Emma Hughes of Family Promise.
Inside Family Promise’s Emergency Shelter, a series of kitchenettes allow families to cook and enjoy their meals together.
Toys and games offer kids a chance to lead normal lives while their parents try to overcome some very difficult circumstances.
“Things like how do we increase our income? How do we get our kids in school? How do we have child care? How do we have medical insurance? Things like that. And then, as soon as those building blocks are set, then from there, it’s ‘alright you have all the paperwork, you have all the skills, let’s start applying for housing,’ ” added Hughes.
A man named Patrick, along with his wife and three children, are currents guests at the shelter. Patrick says, because Family Promise is caring for his family, he can save up money for first and last month’s rent.
“They help with clothing, food, shelter. Our financial situation. Pretty much, couldn’t ask for a better shelter. Honestly, its pretty good,” affirmed Patrick.
And that’s why, during the past five years, the Numerica Credit Union has donated almost $100,000 to Family Promise.
Numerica officials feel the annual gifts are investments in our community, that keep paying life-changing dividends.
“They create a family environment, so people can start to heal and also, start to move out of the systemic issues they are dealing with. So, they surround them with all the services, and then they say, ‘we believe in you and we’re going to stick beside you,’ even as they move out,” emphasized Kim Pearman-Gillman of Numerica.
So far this year, Family Promise has helped more than 255 people, roughly 77 local families, find a path out of homelessness.
The City of Spokane gave Family Promise a large portion of the money the non-profit needed to buy the building for the Mission Avenue shelter.
Spokane County is paying for 80% of the construction that will create new space for 25 more guests at the shelter next spring.
