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Family Promise of Lawrence is proud to celebrate a meaningful partnership with IKEA Merriam, which fully furnished a home for families transitioning out of housing insecurity and into permanent housing during four community building events held the week April 19th.

Through thoughtful planning and a very generous donation of furniture and home essentials, IKEA Merriam helped create a welcoming, functional space where families can begin building stability and comfort. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to dignity and belonging that ensures families have the supportive environments they need to thrive. (Read the press release here.)

This effort was made possible through the collaboration of many community partners, including Lawrence Memorial Hospital, A & A Precision Painting, Ninja Windows, River City Heating & Cooling and Rock Hill Church. By assembling furniture together and preparing the housing unit featured below for a family to move in, these supportive entities, the IKEA team, FPL staff and 30+ volunteers demonstrated how powerful a community can be! 

Family Promise of Lawrence (FPL) is excited to have been chosen as one of 5 Family Promise affiliates to receive a stabilization grant from the Siemer Institute through the recent partnership with National Family Promise.  With this new partnership and grant opportunity, we are enhancing our Stabilization Programming.  Part of the grant requirements are to collect family stabilization data along with 4 other FP affiliates. The data focuses on housing, family income, and children’s educational stability at the time of program intake as well as outcomes at exit.  Data helps tell the local story of family stabilization and is a critical mode of evaluation of program effectiveness.  Because of this generous grant we are also able to build up our stabilization program capacity for families who have been in other FPL programs. The grant has allowed us to hire an additional Family Service Coordinator (FSC), as well as provide focused stabilization specialization training for a  seasoned FSC we’ve had on staff. 

Quoting from a press release on June 26, 2024, our National CEO, Cherly Schuch said, (Siemer / Family Promise Press Release)

“The Siemer Institute’s commitment to investing in the potential of children and families aligns perfectly with our mission at Family Promise…Our focus is to keep families across the country stably housed, which leads to better health outcomes, positive youth development, and community well-being.”

From the same press release, it was reported that “Since its establishment in 2011, the Siemer Institute has developed partnerships around the United States, impacting over 130,000 families and benefiting nearly 300,000 children.  By focusing on a two-generation approach, the institute aims for thriving families and connected communities.”

“We are excited to partner with Family Promise and support their vital work in family stabilization,” said Kimberly Dorniden, President & National Executive Director of the Siemer Institute. “Family Promise’s comprehensive approach to preventing unplanned moves and promoting family stability aligns seamlessly with our mission. Through this collaboration, we aim to enhance our collective impact, providing essential resources and support to help families achieve lasting stability and children succeed academically.” .”

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ABOUT FAMILY PROMISE National
Family Promise is the leading national nonprofit addressing the crisis of family homelessness.  What began as a local initiative in Summit, NJ, has become a national movement that operates in 200+ communities in over 40 states. Family Promise delivers innovative solutions for family homelessness including prevention, shelter, stabilization and housing services. The organization has served more than one million family members since its founding over 35 years ago. To learn more about Family Promise, visit familypromise.org. 

ABOUT SIEMER INSTITUTE 
The Siemer Institute supports families with children from birth through 12th grade who are at risk of unplanned moves/evictions. To accomplish this, the Siemer Institute collaborates with community-based funding partners and service providers across the nation, creating a collective impact network of successful local initiatives. By providing multi-year grants—including challenge grants, advocacy grants, and expansion grants—and other resources, the Siemer Institute empowers partners to implement community-appropriate solutions and build lasting, effective programs. Today, the Siemer Institute has 74 funded partners in 39 states with over 150 service providers across the country. For more information, please visit SiemerInstitute.org. 

Fifteen years ago, when Lawrence Family Promise was establishing itself in Douglas County, we made an important promise to do all we could to help the most vulnerable children and families in this community. We are proud of the work we  have done as an organization and of our families who have successfully gone through our programing.  

Lawrence Family Promise has taken a significant step forward by acquiring 200 Mt. Hope Court.. The decision to transform 200 Mt. Hope Court into a shelter for children and families reflects Family Promise’s unwavering commitment to serving those in need.

The shelter will serve as more than just a temporary residence; it will be a place of refuge and empowerment. Families staying at the shelter will receive not only essential amenities but also access to comprehensive support services aimed at addressing their specific needs. From Case Management to educational and employment assistance, Family Promise is committed to equipping families with the tools they need to regain stability and independence.

However, Family Promise cannot do this alone. Community involvement and support are vital to our growth and success.. Volunteers play a crucial role in providing additional assistance and creating a sense of belonging for families staying at the shelter. Whether it’s bringing meals, offering companionship, or organizing activities for children, every act of kindness contributes to making the shelter a warm and welcoming place for families in transition.

Moreover, community support extends beyond volunteering. Financial contributions, in-kind donations, and spreading awareness about Family Promise’s mission are all ways individuals and businesses can contribute to the cause. By rallying together as a community, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families experiencing homelessness.

As we look ahead, let us celebrate this milestone achievement while recognizing the work that lies ahead. The transformation of 200 Mt. Hope Court into a shelter for children and families is a testament to the power of compassion and collective action. Together, we can build a community where every family has a place to call home and the support they need to thrive.

It’s hard to believe February is almost over! The weather has been so mild it’s difficult to believe that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of winter. What does he know?! Either way, we’re gearing up and getting ready for spring here at Family Promise. We’ve got several events coming up that we’re excited about, and hope you are too!

Imbibe will be held in April!! Imbibe is a festival of fine wine and food benefiting Family Promise. Cork and Barrel generously donates the proceeds of this event to us, and we’re incredibly excited to be a part of it again this year and are grateful for our continued relationship with Cork and Barrel. This event is a lot of fun, and we always look forward to it! It’s a two part event with a dinner on Thursday, April 13th at J.Wilson and a wine tasting event on Saturday, April 15th. Check out the event details here. 

Are you ready for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and cheering on the mighty Jayhawks?! We’ve got just the gear for you to show your love and support for Lawrence’s favorite basketball team and for Family Promise. We have four XL shirts and a flag signed by the entire men’s basketball team. In addition we have an replica Jalen Wilson Adidas jersey (this one is not signed). We’ll be doing a silent auction for the signed shirts, flag and Wilson jersey. Save the date as this one will begin on March 8th and run through the 15th. 

It is Spring Campaign time! We have an anonymous donor who will match 100% of every dollar raised up to $25,000. If you donated $200, that means our anonymous donor would match that for a total contribution of $400. Life and our day to day necessities are so expensive, imagine what it must be like for the families in our programs. I can’t wait to see how our Family Promise network knocks this one out of the park! You can donate now by following this link.

And don’t forget about the upcoming runs!

The Westward Ho! 5K and Fun Run is May 6th., Family Promise has been the primary beneficiary of this 5K for four years! And we look forward to this partnership yearly. You can sign up here.

And don’t forget to save the date for our 5K Family Promise Home Run May 29th.You can sign up here.