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Every 15 years or so, whether we need it or not, Bob and I buy a new or used car. Truthfully, it’s
not really our jam; but after hydroplaning in pouring rain on I-70 and careening into the center
barrier and breaking an axle, we decided it was time. Plus, we were newly interested in safety
features.

We wandered into Laird Noller’s sales center and shook salesman Joe Kelly’s hand. “There’s
absolutely no chance we’ll be buying a car today,” I told him, thinking I’d cleverly pre-empt a
hard sell. But by the end of the evening, having had time at home to discuss and possibly
rationalize, we called Joe back and said, “Yes. Please order us one of those shiny new cars with
multiple bells and whistles.”

It wasn’t until the next day, when we returned to the dealership to sign the ream of papers Joe
had generated and when he called his boss over to say “Hi” that I remembered we were friends
with someone at Laird Noller. From way back.

We were delighted to greet Laird Noller Hyundai and Genesis of Lawrence General Manager
Josh Hoke. Josh and his son, Josh, Jr., showed up at Family Promise in 2010 with nowhere else
to turn. Hoke was a former army medic who’d lost his veteran’s benefits after a string of
bureaucratic errors. Family Promise director Valerie Miller Coleman first got Josh and his son
housed. Then she advocated with the Veterans Administration and the housing authority. She
ultimately summoned a meeting of representatives of various veterans’ organization at the
American Legion and invited Josh to tell his story. “Oh, my goodness! How did this happen?”
said the VA folks. “How did this man fall through the cracks?”

Hoke did indeed qualify for a housing voucher through the Veterans Administration. The Hokes
remained housed with Family Promise several months until the details of their housing could be
finalized.

Josh had been employed at Laird Noller for several years before coming to Family Promise.
While he was still experiencing homelessness, he was named Salesman of the Year.
Since regaining housing and full VA benefits, Hoke says he’s “kept the pedal to the metal” in
regard to his work ethic. He tells all his employees his story and says he’s proud and humbled to
also mention that he was the first former guest to serve on the local Family Promise board of
directors.

Josh Hoke, Jr., who was with his dad at Family Promise, is now a loan officer at a local credit
union. Josh Sr. and his wife, Carolee, have three younger children active in Lawrence schools
and in traveling soccer club, softball and competitive gymnastics and dance.
Bob and I were delighted to reconnect with this beloved graduate family and were so grateful
to hear the rest of their amazing story.

On the way home, Bob preached to the choir, “Dog gone it (Bob really does say “dog gone it”)!
Even with all his advantages and education, Josh was homeless. Again, we’re shown,
homelessness can happen to anyone. In our minds we want to play this game, that it could
never happen to me, that somehow this other person deserves to be in the spot they are in.”
Thirteen years into our local Family Promise adventure we have the fun of seeing the fruit of
our organization’s work. We see our neighbors, living life. Raising kids. Selling cars.
Our shopping trip to Laird Noller netted us new wheels. Far more importantly, we got to
reconnect with Josh Hoke.

Family Promise of Lawrence was able to gain access to a quaint little property in  2013 from a donor, which launched our temp housing program. We aptly named it the Rotary House as a nod to the Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club as they initially sponsored it and completed annual work projects for FPL. The Rotary House has served at least 30 families in the time it was available for us. 

Here’s how the Rotary House impacted this family:

“A lot of good things happened in this house. It was a simple two bedroom house, nothing fancy. To my son and I it was a haven and a new beginning. It was people believing in me, when I didn’t believe in myself. A house where I experienced being seen, heard and encouraged. My son says this house is his favorite house ever, this is where things changed. We are forever grateful for the house and it will be close to our hearts always, long after it is gone. I experienced a lot of feelings, emotions in this house, but this is how I will always view it: as a Saving Grace”

The Rotational model of Family Promise contains what the Board has lovingly dubbed the “special sauce”.  There is this intangible thing that happens to volunteers and guests as they come together and the lines, of who is benefiting, blur. We have found that our churches need this just as much as the families we serve.  I think we, the housed, receive even more than our guests.  So blessed by the joy, the gratitude, the coming together…the “special sauce”.  Shalom on display.  We need to get back to our roots for all of us and for these amazing families.  There are so many.  However, we are finding that people are not returning to volunteering easily.  Maybe we are out of practice, no longer see the point, or atrophied.  I imagine a bit of it is that we have forgotten the taste and flavor of that special sauce.  We have traded our pearls for pop beads, to quote a childhood pastor of mine.  This is our attempt to take back our pearls and share them.  Living shalom.

By Ashley Sandefur, BOD Nov 30, 2022

FPL HAS BIG NEWS! Exciting things are happening, and we need YOU to make them soar! If you’ve missed volunteering at FPL, or if you’re chomping at the bit to get started for the first time, we’ve got volunteer opportunities for you.

1. Hybrid Shelter

On December 5, the Hybrid Shelter will open its doors! The Hybrid Shelter looks a bit like the former Rotation program, but with some noteworthy changes.

What is it? In this new Hybrid model, families will stay at Hosting Sites (congregations) for 1 to 4 weeks at a time and will not need to rotate to a new congregation every week. Each week a Hospitality Coordinator will organize the meals, dinner hosts and overnight hosts at the Hosting Site to ensure the families receive top-notch hospitality and food.

How does it work? Congregations will serve as the Hospitality Team to provide food and volunteers some weeks. This may be at their own building, or at another Hosting Site. Other weeks the Hospitality Team will be a group of volunteers from across the FPL volunteer network, led by the Hospitality Coordinator for that week.

What can I do? You can help set up, wash bedding, provide food, host dinner or host overnight. Talk with the coordinator at your congregation to find out when your church is on the schedule, or SIGN UP HERE to fill in needed slots.

2. We Bought TWO Houses!

FPL was generously gifted some funds towards the purchase of two houses that will be used as supportive housing for families. One is a 3 bedroom house, the other is a 5 bedroom, so these homes will provide opportunities for larger families to move into housing and continue to receive FPL support.We need your help. The houses need a good scrubbing, furniture moved into place and some seasonal landscaping to make them ready for families. You can sign up to help here to work your magic!