Family Promise of Greater Helena

Since 2011, Family Promise of Greater Helena has been transforming the lives of homeless families in the community all while ensuring those families stay together. Family Promise of Greater Helena is a non-profit that operates as a partnership with Helena-area churches and Carroll College, providing overnight housing and meals for homeless families with children through an infrastructure that supports each family’s progress towards sustainable independence. Working through obstacles and barriers with families, Family Promise staff marshals resources and coordinates with other agencies to help families find employment, childcare, health care and affordable housing. Meanwhile, an interfaith hospitality network made up of 11 churches and Carroll College, provides meals, hospitality and a place to sleep. Each site hosts four weeks during the year on a rotating basis. Another 8 churches serve as support to those who host. Over 600 trained volunteers help supply meals and hospitality at the sites. In addition to the hospitality sites, Family Promise provides a Day Center, where families spend daytime hours, prepare meals, and access computers to work on resumes, job applications, or GED completion. Each family meets weekly with the family advocate who monitors progress and provides support. Family Promise also provides a 6-hour course on how to budget and save money. 85% of the families become independent within 85 days.