Helping Homeless Families
March 24, 2011 11:40 AM

Family Promise of Odessa receives check for $4,650 from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for joint fundraising activities with Thrivent Financial matching $1,500 toward the total raised. Pictured from left are Randy McGuire, board of directors president, Imelda Garcia, former network director receiving the check from Earlene Lagow and Terry Marriner, local representative from Thrivent Financial. Family Promise of Odessa helps homeless families with children through a network of area churches. Thrivent Financial is a faith based, not-for-profit membership organization and a Fortune 500 financial services organization. You may call 550-5567 for more information or visit the website thrivent.com.

Family Promise of Odessa Raises Over $4,000 through Raffle Tickets
Alex Glenn Prather, CBS 7 News
January 19, 2011
CBS7 doesn't archive stories longer than one month.

Odessa, Texas- A local non-profit organization raises thousands of dollars from selling raffle tickets.
The Family Promise of Odessa is an organization that helps homeless families with children by providing temporary shelter and meals.
The organization had their first annual raffle for the year and raised over $4,000.
The raffle drawing was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, and people went home with prizes such as 4 round-trip passes for Southwest Airlines, a 32” LCD TV, and a $500 Visa gift card.
"We're able to raise funds to assist homeless families with children, and so all this money will be towards our program," says Network Director Inelba Garcia.
The Family Promise of Odessa location opened last January and has completed one year of service, with 800 volunteers clocking in 8,000 hours.
They plan to do another big fundraiser in the fall.

Homelessness Spikes In Texas
Reported by: Dylan Brooks, KMID
Monday, January 17, 2011

AUSTIN -- Homelessness is not a new problem for Texas, but it is a growing problem.
The number of homeless families in the Lone Star state went up 16 percent in 2010 compared to the 2009's figures. And there's also been a big growth in families "doubling up" or moving in with extended family and friends. That's usually seen as a major step towards homelessness.
In general, states along the Gulf Coast saw the biggest increases in homelessness in 2010.

Without a home
Family Promise demonstrates types of homelessness

November 14, 2010 9:40 AM
BY LAUREN DRINKARD
Squeezing into the cardboard box was no small matter, but living with only a few millimeters of cardboard between themselves and the wild West Texas wind is a much bigger matter for some Odessa families.
Other families live in their vehicle, some are doubled up in homes with other families, and still others live in campsites throughout Odessa. The common thread is homelessness.
Family Promise is an interfaith network of 13 churches in Odessa providing shelter, meals and support services for homeless families in Odessa. The group opened its doors in January and has been busy helping families ever since. On a brisk Saturday morning at the Odessa College Sports Center tack, the group had a public event to bring awareness to the community on how and why families become homeless.
“We have six stations and each station represents a way and a reason for family homelessness. They each ask and answer the question, ‘What is homelessness?’ ” Imelda Garcia, executive director for Family Promise, said.
First Presbyterian Church, an Odessa church that shelters families for Family Promise, manned station one and displayed a cardboard box and additional items someone living in a box might own. Inside was a sleeping bag, a roll of toilet paper and a cup. Sturdy it wasn’t, but the church said there are people living this way in Odessa.
Station two was a house that represented families that double up. The New Life Chapel youth group played the part of two families living in one residence.
"These families double up and don’t realize they’re homeless,” Garcia said.
In doubled up situations, fights and disagreements often leave one of the two families on the streets, Garcia said.
Two other stations gave examples of families living in campsite-style living conditions. Bed frames, tarps and other items that can be collected at dump grounds are set up to make makeshift tents.
Garcia said the families that Family Promise helps were once prosperous and independent families who have no history of being homeless.
“These are not people who have chosen to be homeless,” she said. “We give them referrals to other agencies. Often, they don’t know what services are available because they’ve always taken care of themselves.”
Due to life circumstances these mothers, fathers and children have been left with no stable roof over their heads. Injury, layoffs, foreclosures and other reasons contribute to a loss of shelter. Family Promise’s network of churches support and host families within their walls for one week. They are given privacy, a home-like environment, one-on-one support with volunteers, and a sense of security for their children. Garcia also said that unlike other homeless help organizations, families aren’t split up. Fathers and sons can stay with the family unit and do not have to live separately from the women.
Something Family Promise emphasizes is the type of people they are helping. Garcia and Randy McGuire, board president, stress these are self sufficient people who need hand up while their lives are sorted out.
“We want to clarify misconceptions people have with who we are helping… You would never know these families were homeless. They look just like everybody else,” McGuire said.
To get these families back on their feet, Family Promise requires the people to sign a contract to indicate their dedication to regaining independence. The churches require families to clean up for themselves and to take responsibility for their lives.
“It’s such an amazing concept,” Westminster Presbyterian Church volunteer Ann Moore said. Moore along with fellow church members Judy English and Peggy Dean, were walking the track and taking in all the stations and energetically telling everyone their support for the Family Promise mission.
“It’s a wonderful refuge,” English said, “and the families have been wonderful. There’s no attitude with these people and this program allows them to keep their dignity.”
McGuire said several families have expressed a desire to return to the program to give back to those who have helped them when they are able. This, McGuire said, is a testimony to the power of love of the program.
“There is love on both sides of this,” Moore said.
BY THE NUMBERS
>> 15 families have been through the Family Promise program and 12 of those are fully independent now.
>> 743 students were certified homeless within ECISD in the 2008-2009 school year.
>> About 300 people younger than 18 were homeless at some point in 2008 in Ector County.
>> Approximately 1,474 people were homeless in Ector County at some point during 2008, or about 1 in every 90 residents of the county.
>> In January 2010, the Odessa Homeless Coalition found 106 homeless individuals in Ector County, but believe this count is below the actual number.
Estimates derived by The Perryman Group and provided by Family Promise of Odessa.

Local Churches Reach Out to Homeless Families 7/11/10
Jennifer Samp, CBS 7 News, jsamp@cbs7.com , July 8, 2010
CBS7 doesn't archive stories longer than one month.

It’s a promise sixteen Ector County churches make to homeless families going through a crisis. A promise overflowing with every faucet of aid available from shelter and food to finding work and a day care.

Family Promise Day Center Opens in Odessa
Lindsay Martin CBS 7 News April 5, 2010
CBS7 doesn't archive stories longer than one month.

Odessa- The opening of a new center in Odessa today, means a new beginning for local homeless families.
The new Family Promise of Odessa Day Center is located at 1356 East 6th Street.
Family Promise of Odessa is an interfaith, non-profit network of 13 churches and hundreds of volunteers that provide shelter, meals and support services to homeless families, to help them become more independent.
Members of the community donate everything in the center, including the new building.

New day center
April 05, 2010 3:55 PM BY ROY WAGGONER

Giant scissors and the West Texas wind ushered in a new era in helping the homeless Monday afternoon as Family Promise of Odessa opened its new day center. Family Promise serves homeless families in need, fulfilling a niche in the region. The organization can host up to 14 people at a time and right now is serving nine people from three families. Network Director Imelda Garcia said the organization opened in January but needed a place for families to come during the day. Thirteen churches take turns offering a place for guests to sleep at night. "This day center gives them a place to look for jobs, do laundry or take care of other needs," she said.

Two vans can transport children to school and adults to jobs if needed. The goal is to help families get on their feet to find new housing and employment.

"If it relieves some of the stress, we can help them with what they need," she said.

Family Promise supporter Zach Wallace helped put on a food drive for Family Promise and said he thinks the day center is an important part of the network.

"I think this is great because it will help people get back on track," he said.

Serving the whole family
Family Promise successful after first couple weeks in operation
February 13, 2010 1:48 AM   BY ROY WAGGONER

Family Promise guest Chelsea Castillo said she found a job the second day in the program, and the center also helps with transportation to Midland for her husband’s work. "I was skeptical at first, but they have done so much and helped us with everything we need. Very respectful and helpful," she said. She takes care of her baby at the day center and said she feels like the center is a real help. "This makes me feel relief and hope for the future," Castillo said.

David Mossbarger serves on the Family Promise Board of Trustees and was part of the group of ministers first considering bringing the national Family Promise organization to Odessa. He said his heart for the homeless really took root when he spent time in a homeless shelter in Dallas prior to his ordination in the Episcopal ministry.
"I am glad to see the churches here working on helping the homeless," Mossbarger said.
Garcia was hired on as executive director just prior to the beginning of the year, and Family Promise started operations Jan. 17.
She said families go through an interview process before they are accepted into the program to judge compatibility with the program and discern what needs must be met. Guidelines require candidates to not have substance abuse, severe mental problems and to pass a criminal background check.
In addition, 30 days is the expected stay for most families, but Garcia said a longer stay is acceptable depending on individual situations. She said the average stay is between 30 and 45 days at the national level, but also extremely successful.
"We have an 85 to 90 percent success rate nationally for people who leave the program and stay that way," she said.
To Garcia, Family Promise is one way the local churches can show their faith.
"There’s so much need, and we can show the love of Jesus in a different way. There are people willing to help those in need," she said.

Some Odessa Churches Begin To Offer Shelter for the Homeless
by Diane Tuazon NewsWest 9 Feb 02, 2010 6:35 PM CST

ODESSA - 13 churches through out Odessa are partnering with an organization called Family Promise to help provide shelter for those in need.
"We can take up to 14 individuals. It's for people that maybe living in their cars or doubling up with family," Family Promise Director, Imelda Garcia, said.
Family Promise not only provides shelter; they try to help people become self sufficient and while there is a limit to the amount of people that can stay in the church shelters, officials say they've had families staying at different churches for weeks at a time.
"The time frame is 30 days, but if they are not able to be on their feet yet, then of course, we continue service," Garcia said.
"This is a program that responds to a long range of needs. There is a commitment on their part, this isn't free hand outs," Father Mark Miller said.
Church members say being part of Family Promise can help benefit the community by helping individuals achieve lasting independence.
"This is a program that responds to long range of needs. Certainly we respond to those who are hungry, but this is the next step to becoming self sufficient," Father Miller said.
There are some requirements to be part of Family Promise. If you are seeking shelter with the organization, you must have kids and must pass a background check.

Family Promise Groundbreaking: October 21, 2009

A promise kept
October 20, 2009 2:05 PM
Family Promise of Odessa will soon have a new place to reach out to homeless families in the area.
Crews are gearing up to break ground on the new Day Center at 1356 E. Sixth St.
The Day Center will provide overnight accommodations and meals to homeless families beginning Dec. 1.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new center is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the corner of Sixth Street and Allred Avenue.
Family Promise of Odessa, Inc. is an interfaith non-profit network of 14 congregations and volunteers who work together to provide shelter, meals and support services to homeless families.

Family Promise website note: The Day Center provides the office for the Executive Director who is in communication with each host congregation. In point of fact, the congregations will provide accomodations and meals to homeless familes beginning Dec. 1.

Family Promise Day Center Breaks Ground in Odessa 10/21/09

Elias Hernandez CBS 7 News October 21, 2009 CBS7 doesn't archive stories longer than one month. Odessa, Texas - On any given day in Ector County, 70-families are homeless living on the streets. But a new organization is stepping in to help them. Volunteers with "Family Promise" of Odessa broke ground today on a day center. It’s a place where the homeless can come to get help as they rebuild their lives.

"Family Promise" is supported by 13 churches throughout the city and modeled after a very successful national program, which provides shelter, transportation, and support. Family Promise Board Member, Lorraine Perryman, said, “We provide help finding job training, placement a home. They'll stay with us and have their needs met until they can be placed in another living situation.” Perryman says research shows many of the homeless families are headed by single mothers with small children, which increases the critical need to provide a solution.

Family Promise breaks ground on Odessa Day Center
By Kathleen Thurber, Staff Writer
Published: Friday, October 23, 2009 3:10 AM CDT

In just more than a month, a group of 13 Odessa churches will open their doors to homeless families within the city in hopes the shelter and support they’ll provide will be what these families need to achieve long-term independence.
“Communities seem to have an image of the homeless as single people and adults,” said Lorraine Perryman, a volunteer with First Presbyterian Church, speaking after the groundbreaking of Family Promise’s Day Center Wednesday. “There’s a large percentage that are children, teens and families.”
Many of the families the nonprofit plans to serve, she said, are not homeless because of any “bad behavior,” but rather because of a lost job, medical costs that came when the family was uninsured or some other reason.
Through partnering with them and offering more than just shelter, Perryman said, they’re hoping to help families not need the assistance of a shelter or program like theirs in the future.
“It helps the families get back on their feet,” she said.
As Odessa’s Family Promise anticipates its December start date, a group of Midlanders is continuing to work toward a Family Promise group in the Tall City, which they hope will begin serving families following the Easter holiday in the spring of 2010, said the Rev. Gary Groves of Church on the Journey.
“We are still looking for more volunteers,” Groves said. “Anyone who wants to help with the planning we welcome.”
In both Midland and Odessa’s Family Promise outreaches — which are operated under the title of Interfaith Hospitality Networks — each church in the network will be charged with providing the participating families with meals, fellowship and shelter during the evenings for one week roughly every three months, organizers said. Each Sunday the families will move to a new church.
During the days children will be sent to school and adults will spend time at a Day Center, like the one that broke ground in Odessa, and staff will be available to help with searches for jobs, permanent housing and social service assistance. Odessa’s center will have showers and laundry facilities.
The Rev. Cheryl Homsher of Grace Presbyterian Church said Midland’s network still is looking for a site for a day center to be located.
The programs are part of a nationwide network that currently includes 128 outreaches in 39 states, according to Family Promise’s Web site.
It was first developed, according to the organization’s Web site, to specifically meet the needs of homeless families who it says now make up 40 percent of the homeless population and often are split up when served through traditional shelters.
The hospitality network, while recognizing their need, does not serve the chronically homeless or those battling addiction.
Nationally, according to their Web site, about 80 percent of families served go on to long-term housing.
To create this success locally, Groves said it will require a multitude of volunteers both from the participating churches and other congregations around town. Nationwide, more than 200,000 volunteers serve by cooking, offering support, setting up facilities or through other means.
Midland’s Family Promise outreach currently has four participating churches. It is seeking nine more.
Until spring, they’re in the process of filing for nonprofit status, applying for grants and piecing together all the other various details that will need to fall into place, he said.
Perryman said both they and Midland’s organizers hope the program will fill a need that thus far has gone largely unmet.
The organizers of Midland’s Family Promise program are holding a meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield. Any interested in volunteering or learning about the group are invited to attend.

Teacher Helps Bring 'Family Promise' to the Basin
By Camaron Abundes NewsWest 9 5/18/2009 12:34:45 AM

ODESSA- At Austin-Montessori, education is like a symphony and teacher Randy McGuire is more like a conductor leading children as they take on new tasks and embrace learning with all their senses.
"I wanted to make a difference. I don't think I had really great male teachers when I was growing up and I wanted to be a positive influence in their lives." Randy McGuire said he left a government job for the classroom eleven years ago.
The curriculum is designed to teach students to make good choices, to develop social skills, and to learn about the world beyond the classroom.
"I've been educating the class this year on what homelessness really is. They're beginning to understand that this segment of the population is their neighbors, friends, and relatives," McGuire says the rate of homelessness is startling.
McGuire is now orchestrating a new mission bringing a national program "Family Promise" to Odessa. McGuire says there is now a network of churches here in the basin that can house families for a week at a time before the families move onto a new shelter.
"What really got me going last year is I found out we had 482 hundred children as identified as being homeless in Ector County. That was last year and this spring the numbers have gone up to 675 students," McGuire said.
McGuire says 80 percent of families who enter the program nationally get the help they need and McGuire hopes by helping families he will help the homeless children in E.C.I.S.D. Schools. "When you don't know where you're going, what you're going to have to eat, who you're going to be staying with at night, it becomes very difficult to focus, and learn at school."
McGuire says the program may be up and running by the end of the summer.

Without a home

"It makes things so much more difficult to think about going to school when you don't know where you are staying. The students often don't know what's going on is abnormal and the teacher just sees the child shut down," said Randy McGuire, and Austin Montessori teacher and homeless advocate. McGuire said homeless parents have a fear of Child Protective Services taking their kids away simply because they are homeless, a worry that keeps families from going out into the open. However, he said agencies like ECISD try to help homeless families understand the necessity of school. "I am pleased with what the district does. There is only so much you can do," McGuire said.

District homeless liaison Wayne Wallace said federal law requires homeless students to have a free education like other children. Those 625 homeless students "We will provide tutors and can get them small things like clothes, school supplies and glasses," Wallace said. "The big thing is to maintain stability." He said there are some things ECISD can't do by law, particularly cover rent and the living costs of parents. "The little problems we can solve," Wallace said. He said four social workers visit shelters or wherever a child is said to be living to check on that student's homeless status before certifying the child as homeless. All parents fill out a housing survey at the beginning of the school year, so those 625 are the ones officially listed as homeless and receiving those services. get free lunch, giving them at least one filling meal a day. They also can receive transportation and take part in activities like other students. Even more can be done if needed.

Helping Homeless Students & Families In Ector County's School District 9/19/08 Melissa Correa, CBS 7 News, September 19, 2008 CBS7 doesn't archive stories longer than one month. Odessa, TX- It's an unspoken lifestyle that's the unfortunate reality for hundreds of local students who are homeless. For classmate, it may be a difficult situation to understand: not having a place to call home. "Imagine what it could be like to live in one of these places on our playground, where it's very hot, very cold, very windy, or very rainy like it was last week." A slice of reality is playing out on Austin Montessori's playground. "We have 5 shelters for the children to come to." Students have it covered: from tarps, to tents, cardboard to blankets. "And at each shelter there's a message about homelessness that we felt was vital for them to hear." "There's many kids your age that have to live like that." "At last count, 482 ECISD children are homeless." "Pretty much all the children inside the whole school, that's about how much children are homeless." Imagining the equivalant of Austin Montessori's population, was enough for teacher Randy McGuire to get moving. "Each child can change the world individually." And collectively, they could raise some major money for Family Promise of Odessa. "It's a non-profit organization that is helping, only helping families with children." And once Thrivant Financial heard of the homes... They opened another door. For every dollar raised, the company will match that. "We have capped it at $5,000." "They'll help them to get back to where they can have a place to call their own... like their home." And as they showcase poverty as a group, the message is striking a personal cord with each child. "Just asking for a simple dollar and people giving that much more- wow, I mean, it's just a great testimony to the kids hearts." Family Promise of Odessa, Inc. http://www.forministry.com/USTXINTERFPOOF/ PO Box #12781 Odessa, TX 79762 Call St. Andrews Cumberland Presbyterian Church 432-367-8603 or email: mcguirrw@aol.com Churches That Post up As Family Promise Shelters: St. Andrews Cumberland Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Crescent Park Baptist Church St. Barnabas Episcopal Church St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Catholic Churches of South Odessa Asbury United Methodist Church Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord Redeemer Lutheran Support Congregations: Life Unlimited Church Life in Grace Lutheran

Austin goes beyond basics Students learn about homeless life through model shelters September 19, 2008 - 5:08PM BY ROY WAGGONER Odessa American Students at Austin Montessori Magnet School went outside Friday to see examples of homeless shelters, part of the school's Montessori philosophy of teaching more than the three R's. "Becoming a good citizen is just as important as learning the basics, and the plight of some of these homeless families is critical - we want children to reach out," principal Sylvia Sanchez said. Students first lined up in the gym to see a short video on how programs can help the homeless. The video didn't hold everyone's attention, but once students saw the homeless dwellings put up outside by Randy McGuire's class, they seemed transfixed by the five makeshift shelters. "It's falling," one student said as a tarp started to come undone. "We all need to scoot back," teacher Tiffany Witte told the dozen students packed under the covering. At the lean-to station, teacher Rachel Orona pointed out the cooler sitting by the cloth-covered spot. "What we would use for a picnic, they use for a fridge," Orona said. Students thought about weather conditions for anyone living in a lean-to. "It would be really cold under there, and all you could do is just sit, no television," sixth-grader Alexandra Castillo said. McGuire, a sixth-grade teacher, organized the event. He said he got involved through the Family Promise of Odessa organization - 13 area churches that alternately house homeless families. With roughly 400 ECISD families identified as homeless, it's an issue for the district. "How can a child learn with a home life so disrupted?" McGuire asked. "It's hard to get their attention and help them be focused." He said he believes Montessori is about helping students make a difference for others. "Once you're aware, you have a responsibility to be servants and help make a difference even at a young age," McGuire said. One parent found the project helpful. "It's a good thing they're bringing this to the children's attention, as they are pretty oblivious to these things," Kim Sanchez said. Sanchez said Austin strives to help students self-discover concepts instead of being forced, so instruction is structured to provide flexibility. A big focus is on peace and conflict resolution. Students often resolve conflicts by talking about issues at a peace table instead of having teachers lead. Community involvement is also stressed. "We like to have projects that builds awareness of an issue in our community, and this is something that actually impacts some children," Sanchez said. The principal said that Austin wants students to learn how to help people and show respect for the environment, both locally and around the world. She said students learned about the issue of homeless people during assembly time, and parents were notified through a letter inviting donations. Those donations will go to Family Promise of Odessa. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will match funds up to $5,000. SHELTER EXAMPLES >> Camping tent with blankets on floor. >> Small lean-to with a cloth covering and cooler. >> Cardboard boxes put together into a fort. >> Tarp tied to the ground and fence with clothing for the floor. >> Old blue passenger van with small play area in the back.