Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM February 2020 | Page 38

NON-PROFIT OF THE MONTH
GAYLE NELSON
Executive Director
Family Promise of Clear Creek
[phone] | www.ccFamilyPromise.org
REIGNITING THE HOPE IN
THE CLEAR LAKE/BAY AREA
F
amilies with children are the fastest-growing
segment of the homeless population making
up almost 35 percent of those who are
homeless in the
Houston/Gulf Coast area, according to
Gayle Nelson, Executive Director for Family Promise of
Clear Creek. Nelson emphasized that “more than 2,000
children in the Clear Lake/Bay Area are homeless. These
families are often hidden from
view, since many are living in
shelters, cars, campgrounds,
or doubled up in overcrowded
apartments.” The primary
mission of Family Promise is to
“end family homelessness….
one family at a time by
reigniting the hope in homeless
children and their families.
We provide holistic programs
that build confidence and
prepare families for regaining
their independence. Keeping
families intact is integral to
fulfilling this mission. Unlike
other shelters, Family Promise
does not separate the sons and
fathers from the family unit.”
Apprehensive about the
potential separation from her
16 and 13-year-old sons and
the stigma of homelessness,
Amelia, a recent Family Promise
graduate, was “too proud to
ask for help.” She arrived at Family Promise with no job,
her car was about to be repossessed, her phone ready
to be shut off, and she had tried to commit suicide.
Prior to dedicating herself to Family Promise’s stringent
guidelines, Amelia stayed in several shelters. “There
are many programs out there, but at the end of the
day, they don’t end up helping people truly change
their situation,” Amelia stressed. Within one month of
working Family Promise’s program, Amelia acquired two
jobs as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Although Amelia
said she was “no stranger to hard work, sacrifice, and
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MOMENTUM
staying on her feet,” she credits Family Promise for
preparing her for the unexpected and teaching her “to
act conscientiously about saving money.” Amelia was
required to keep “everything systematically in binder
format such as credit report, resume, financial plan, and
all valuable papers. Following all the rules was tough,”
Amelia admitted.
Rigorous parameters have kept “100% of Family
Promise’s graduates living
successfully and independently
one year after exiting the
program. A program that has
served over 120 individuals
from 34 families with 63% of the
children under the age of 18
by building strong foundations
while providing shelter, meals,
case management, life skills
including financial literacy,
employment skills, family
counseling/parenting classes,
transportation, and support/
mentoring for graduates,”
Nelson reiterated.
“Most families we help are
just like ours, but they haven’t
been able to overcome difficult
situations,” Nelson explained.
By partnering with various
organizations, 17 churches
and over 1,000 volunteers,
Nelson said, “Family Promise
furnishes more than hot meals
or over-night facilities. Upon graduating, families in our
program secure the foundational skills and financial
stability required to succeed upon graduating.”
As a Family Promise volunteer trying to help eliminate
homelessness in our area, Rita D’Angelo, articulated,
“We have much more in common with our guest
families than most people realize. I think whenever you
can meet someone, then they are no longer a stranger,
no longer them, they are us. The more families we help,
the stronger our community becomes. Ultimately, that
helps everyone.”