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Family Promise of Indiana County
Organizational Information
Parent Organization
Family Promise
Vision, Mission and/or Purpose of Organization
Family Promise of Indiana County is a non profit organization committed to helping low-income families achieve lasting independence. Family Promise brings the faith community together to help families regain their independence and their dignity. It offers volunteers of all faiths an opportunity to help reduce homelessness and transforms lives.
History of Organization
HISTORY OF FAMILY PROMISE OF INDIANA COUNTY, INC. According to the 2010 Census, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, has a population of 88,880 and one shelter for homeless individuals. The shelter ("Pathways") is located in the town of Black Lick and has a 14 bed capacity. However, due to space constraints, Pathways can only provide services to one family at a time. In the winter of 2009-2010, it became known that at least 2 families were sleeping in their cars during the winter and one of those families had a new born baby. In response to this need, a series of Community Meetings were held over the summer and fall of 2010. The agenda for the community meetings was to increase awareness of the problem of homelessness in Indiana County and to present the Interfaith Hospitality Network as a way to respond to this problem. At the community meeting on August 17, 2010, Michele Faught the Director at Pathways presented a "Statement of Need", indicating Indiana County was experiencing an increase in people being homeless, especially families. An Interfaith Hospitality Network develops through the leadership and commitment of members in the community. Committees to work on the different aspects of developing a Network began in September 2010. A Host Church Recruiting Committee was formed to recruit thirteen Host Congregations. A Day Center Committee was formed to begin looking for an existing facility that had the resources to house the Day Center. The Fundraising Committee worked on estimating the first year�s expenses, establishing a budget and developing and implementing a fund raising plan. The Transportation Committee explored the most reliable and cost-effective transportation options for transporting families from the Day Center to the Host Congregations. The Core Committee guided the work of the other committees, developed the Network�s governing body, formed the Network into a nonprofit organization, began the search for a Network Director and evolved into the Board of Trustees. In October 2010, the Core Committee adopted the Articles of Incorporation as prepared by Ross & Ross, Attorneys at Law. In addition, Board Officers were elected; President-Mike McElhaney, Vice President-Chad Jestes, Jeff Mack , Treasurer, Donna Overdorff and Doris McAnulty , co-Secretaries. A final Community Meeting was held at Church of the Nazarene in Homer City on November 16, 2010. At this meeting representatives from the National Organization Interfaith Hospitality Network attended and presented the Family Promise model for assisting families to develop sustainable independence. November 2010 the First Covenant Agreement to serve as a Host Congregation was signed and submitted to the Core Committee. This became the springboard for publicity to advertise that churches were committing to this new ministry. In January 2011, the Indiana Gazette publicized the Network�s first article, making reference to the first Covenant Agreement being turned in. In February 2011, the IRS approved Family Promise of Indiana County, Inc. as a 501(c) (3) Tax Exempt entity and issues a certificate. In the winter 2011, components of the network were coming together. The Core Committee that had developed the Network disbanded and a working, decision making Board was formed. Pastor Michael Fischer was elected Vice President of the Board when Chad Jestes moved out of the area. In July of 2011, Family Promise became a Network Affiliate of the Interfaith Hospitality Network. A few more Host Congregations were needed and in August 2011 a lunch meeting with the Board and the clergy of the potential host congregations was held. As a result, fourteen Host Congregations signed Covenants to be part of Family Promise. The first major fund raising event was held in September 2011. Family Promise of Indiana County and Pathways Shelter in Black lick were the beneficiaries of monies raised in the Run for Shelter, a 5K race/walk held on the Hoodlebug Trail. In September of 2011, a Letter of Agreement was signed between Covenant Way Church and Family Promise of Indiana County to house the Day Center on the ground level of Covenant Way Church. Plans were developed to remodel a bathroom into a shower room and to install a laundry area. An agreement was made with the Church of the Resurrection to use their 14-passenger van to transport the Family Promise Guests. In September of 2011, with all other components of the Network in place, the Board began recruiting efforts for the position of Network Director. In November of 2011, Carole Reed was hired as the Network Director. November 19-21, 2011, the Director of the Midwest Region of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, Elizabeth Tore trained the Board, Network Director, Host Coordinators and the initial group of volunteers. The first family (pregnant mother with 3 children) was accepted into Family Promise December 21, 2012 and the first congregation to host was Grace United Methodist Church. Until the Shower Room could be completed, the YMCA gave Family Promise Guests access to the showers at their facility. Families were transported by the Network Director to the Laundromat once a week until the laundry area could be completed. By the Open House on February 19, 2012, the Shower Room and the Laundry area in the Day Center were completed. In the Fall of 2012, we were able to add a Transitional Housing component to our services. Families can move into one of our houses and continue practicing the skills they need for independent living. Families in this program still participate in our case management services.
Affiliations
Family Promise of Indiana County is part National Family Promise. Affiliates are in cities, suburbs and rural counties. https://familypromise.org/
Legal Structure
Non-profit corporation
Funding Sources
Family Promise of Indiana County is funded through donations, fundraising and grants.
Contact Information
Key Leader(s)
Contact Person(s)
Contact Number(s)
724-464-5220 - Director
Contact Email(s)
ihnindiana@gmail.com - Director
Primary Address
Service Information
Service Area
Indiana County and surrounding counties
Service Description
The program helps homeless children and their families.
Family Promise of Indiana County provides shelter, hospitality and case management services to their Guests.
Family Promise provides transitional housing for qualified families in Indiana County.
Family Promise provides shelter, meals and case management to homeless children and their families
MISSION STATEMENT To provide low income and underemployed individuals an opportunity to purchase non -food items for a reduced price so they can use their cash resources to pay their rent and utilities, therefore aiding their ability to maintain independent living. Who is eligible? Anyone who receives cash assistance, medical assistance or food stamps Anyone who receives SSI or SSD Anyone who receives WIC benefits Anyone who is only employed part time Anyone who works for minimum wage Anyone who receives subsidized housing or a Section 8 Voucher Anyone who has been in a shelter within the past 12 months
POPP's Cafe-Homeless prevention program. Services Available  Case management to assist with resume development, job search, and budgeting  Referrals to other community resources  Life Skill Training  Access to a computer and the internet at POPP’s Café, where refreshments are free  Conflict mediation with landlords or housemates where families are staying  As funding is available, financial assistance for rent, utilities, car repairs, bus passes or other things related to housing stability  Credit repair support  Beyond Shelter Store– access for use or job training as appropriate.  A Volunteer Mentor who will provide support with money management ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA  Someone whose permanent housing is in jeopardy due to unpaid rent or utilities or some other circumstances.  Someone who is not a sex offender.  Be willing to meet with a case manager to complete a need’s assessment and a goal plan  Be willing to attend a Financial Literacy Workshop, currently being provided via ZOOM.  Be willing to have contact with case manager at 3, 6 & 12 months after leaving POPP.
Financial Literacy Collaboration MISSION STATEMENT Clients will practice behaviors that ensure long term financial stability. Goals of The Financial Literacy Collaboration • Clients will have increased understanding of the value of learning financial literacy • Clients will increase their knowledge of money management • Clients will receive a certificate upon completion of the Workshop • There will be a reduction in the number of terminations from housing programs due to unpaid rent and utilities • There will be reduced recidivism in client’s needing financial assistance • Reduce duplication of services among agencies
Keywords
case management, shelter, referrals, housing, prevention, eviction, families, financial literacy
Available Hours
Day Center is open 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Use the email address (ihnindiana@gmail.com) during other hours.
Fees/Cost for Services
There is no cost for services.
Eligibility Requirements
Guests of Family Promise must have a child 18 or under in their custody.
How to Access Services or Schedule Appointments
Complete application for services on line at our website: familypromiseofindianacounty.com
Miscellaneous Information
Handicap Accessibility
The shelter is not handicap accessible but all the other programs are accessible
Languages Spoken or Available
english
Speaker Available
Yes
Volunteer Use
Yes
Volunteer Need
Yes
Volunteer Description
There are many opportunities for volunteers from clerical work to interacting with our guests. Please call the Network Director for more information.