Family Promise of Greater Merced

Family Promise of Greater Merced : 

Family Promise of Greater Merced

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21.7% of the population in Merced County lives in poverty1 In California, thirteen out of every one hundred (13%) children living in poverty are homeless2

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Families make up 38% of the Homeless Population3

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6.2 million households (15.8% of households with children) lack consistent access to food4

8.9% of Merced County residents receive food stamps5 : 

8.9% of Merced County residents receive food stamps5 71% of Merced County students in the 2005-2006 school year qualified for free or reduced-price meals6

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46.3 million people do not have health insurance7

Who are California’s homeless children?8 : 

Who are California’s homeless children?8 Under 6 years 122,902 Grades K-8 (enrolled) 135,766 Grades 9-12 (enrolled) 33,956 _______________________________________________________________________ TOTAL 292,624 www.HomelessChildrenAmerica.org

The homeless of Merced County : 

The homeless of Merced County There are more than 2,600 homeless individuals in Merced County, including women and children.9 Only 8% of the homeless population in Merced County is sheltered.10 In Merced Union High School District there are 798 homeless students.

How do families end up homeless? : 

How do families end up homeless? Housing costs outpace wages and public assistance for low income citizens. Loss of job. Family medical expenses- lack of medical benefits Unexpected expenses- car, repairs, etc. Loss of spouse through death, divorce, separation, or abandonment. Women with children who are being abused frequently have to chose between abuse and homelessness. Disagreement with those who a family may be staying with.

Home foreclosures means more homeless families : 

Home foreclosures means more homeless families California has the nation’s third highest foreclosure rate.11 The City of Merced has the third highest foreclosure rate in the nation.12 Many of the homes and apartments low income families were renting were foreclosed on, leaving them with no affordable place to live.

Ending homelessness, one family at a time : 

Ending homelessness, one family at a time Family Promise of Greater Merced is a network of local congregations organized to help Merced County homeless families with children. Each congregation provides shelter and meals . Cost of food staples, utilities and supplies averages $200 for the Host Week (but much of that will be donated, keeping even that cost down). Local stores or institutions frequently contribute food items and supplies. Each family member is assisted by our social worker in finding and implementing lasting solutions to their unique situation. Family Promise of Greater Merced

Family Promise Hospitality Network : 

Family Promise Hospitality Network The network will consist of 13 congregations with volunteers, which provides shelter, meals, and support services to homeless families. Our current Host Congregations are: Yosemite Church Gateway Community Church United Methodist Church of Merced First Church of God Merced Christian Church of the Valley Central Presbyterian Church

Family Promise Hospitality Network : 

Family Promise Hospitality Network In a typical Network, half of the guests are children, most of whom are under six years old. The network will provide a director to assist in finding housing and jobs. For congregations, the Network is a vital outreach ministry within the walls of the members own church.

Facts & Figures about Family Promise Hospitality Networks : 

Facts & Figures about Family Promise Hospitality Networks 25% of adult guest family members have found jobs. Over 60% of guest families have at least one family member already employed when they enter a Family Promise Network. More than 75% of the guests in the Network do find long-term housing. There are 162 Networks and 151 Affiliate locations in 39 states and DC. In Northern California, there are networks in San Mateo, Sacramento, and Modesto.

Basic Elements of the Program : 

Basic Elements of the Program Four times a year, for one week at a time, Host Congregations supported by volunteers from Support Congregations provide overnight lodging, meals (supper, breakfast, and brown-bag lunch), and hospitality. Hosting rotates among the 13 Host Congregations in the Network. Host Congregations provide lodging for two to four families (up to 14 individuals) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the next morning. 1. Host and Support Congregations

2. Volunteers Volunteers are the heart of the program, without them it cannot exist.What is involved in Volunteering: : 

2. Volunteers Volunteers are the heart of the program, without them it cannot exist.What is involved in Volunteering: Bringing in a meal and eating with families in the program. Spending a few hours playing with children. Providing a special skill, like computer training or resume writing. Staying overnight at a facility. Supporting parents under incredible stress. Inviting others to join you.

Typical Volunteer Schedule for the Host Facility : 

Typical Volunteer Schedule for the Host Facility 5:30-8:30pm- Supper and Evening Volunteers 8:30pm- 6:00am- Overnight Volunteers 6:00- 7:00am- Breakfast Volunteers This schedule shares the work and allows adults, teenagers, and even children, to find their niche as volunteers.

3. Executive Director & Social Service Agencies : 

3. Executive Director & Social Service Agencies The Director works with social service agencies to help them refer families to the Network. The social service agencies and the Director screen prospective guest families for active substance abuse, domestic, violence, psychiatric problems or others issues that would be disruptive to the program. The Director does a needs assessment for the guest families and connects them to the agencies that can provide the most appropriate help – housing, jobs, training, and other services.

4. Family Day Center : 

4. Family Day Center Each day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., guests use the Family Day Center to care for pre-school children, receive counseling from the Director, seek employment, and arrange appointments to implement the program. Many of the guests will be employed during the day and will go to work. During the school year, children go school. The Family Center provides guests with a mailing address and a home base from which to conduct their housing and job searches.

5. Transportation : 

5. Transportation If needed, Family Promise of Greater Merced will transport guests to and from the Family Day Center and the current Host Congregation’s facilities, along with the guests’ luggage and the support materials, such as beds and linens.

Steps to Create a Network : 

Steps to Create a Network Recruit 13 host congregations Secure a day center Arrange for transportation Prepare a first year budget Raise required funds Develop the Network’s governing body, the Board of Trustees Form the Network into a nonprofit organization Hire the Network Director “

Timeline of Program Development : 

Timeline of Program Development July 2010 6th Host Congregation signed Select the Board of Trustees Adopt Bylaws of Family Promise of Greater Merced Apply for 501c(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS January 2011 – 10 Host Congregations April 2011 12 Host Congregations Family Day Center & Secure Transportation (Passenger Van) May 2011 Raised 1/3 of first years annual budget Hire an Executive Director June 2011 13 Host Congregations Network Training July 2011 Network Opens – Greet our first guests

Core Group Committees : 

Core Group Committees Core group committees focus on specific components of the Network program. Each committee has a chairperson who reports to the entire core group. 1. Host Congregation Recruitment Committee Recruit 13 host congregations from a prospect list (prepared by the core group). Present Family Promise of Greater Merced to clergy, mission committees, and congregational boards. Make presentations to community groups and committee meetings. Provide information and follow-up throughout a prospective congregation’s decision-making process. The recruitment of host congregations is the most labor- and time-intensive part in the development of your Network. Good recruiters build enthusiasm for the Network among all the congregations on the prospect list.

Core Group Committees : 

Core Group Committees Day Center Committee: Finds an organization with the resources for a day center. Churches (particularly large downtown facilities) and social service agencies are potential day center sites. 2 or 3 people are needed for the Day Center Committee. Transportation Committee: Secures the most cost-effective transportation between the day center and host congregations. Explore possibilities for purchasing a van, obtaining a used van, or contracting for transportation services. 1 or 2 people usually take on the project of serving on the Transportation Committee. Fundraising Committee: Estimates expenses, establishes a first year budget and develops and implements a fundraising plan. Experience in fundraising and grant writing are big assets on this committee – strong community connections, especially to corporations in the area, are helpful, too. 3 to 5 people form this committee.

Summary of IHN Program Benefits : 

Summary of IHN Program Benefits For Guests Safe, homelike shelter where families can stay together. Guests cite the caring of volunteers as one of the most important benefits: "I never knew so many people cared." Intensive case management by Network Director to assist in finding housing and jobs and in meeting other needs. On average, more than 75% of guest families secure permanent housing.  For Volunteers Opportunity to help homeless families directly: to make a difference. Opportunity to do outreach within their own house of worship or a nearby location. Wide range of volunteer activities to fit varying schedules and levels of commitment. Opportunity for families to volunteer together.

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We don’t have a day center in our community. How should we go about finding one? Most operating day centers for homeless people are not appropriate for the Network program; they are drop-in centers that serve a mixed population, often including single men who live on the streets and are not suitable for families. You should be looking for space for a day center, rather than an operating day center. Most networks find space for a day center in churches, “Y”s, or social service agencies. Some Networks use one large room or find a place with access to several rooms. Essential facilities are a lounge area for families, a play area for children, a small room or cubicle for the Network director (who will provide most of the supervision of the day center), and showers. If showers are not available, the Network needs to install them.

References : 

References 121.7% of the population in Merced County lives in poverty State of California 2009-2010 Annual Update of the 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan; Appendix B; page 101. 2In California, thirteen out of every one hundred (13%) children living in poverty are homeless California America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness; Page 1; American Community Survey 2006. 3Families make up 38% of the Homeless Population HUD Office of Community Planning and Development; The 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress; 2.2 Trends in Point in Time Counts of Homeless People; page 9. 46.2 million households (15.8% of households with children) lack consistent access to food USDA Food Insecurity in Households with Children, September 2009; Mark Nord; Food Security and Insecurity: Concepts and National Statistics 2007; page 3.

References : 

References 58.9% of Merced County residents receive food stamps Merced County Community Action Agency; Strategic Plan 2008-2014; 2.2 Economic Hardships; page 3. 671% of Merced County students in the 2005-2006 school year qualified for free or reduced-price meals Merced County Community Action Agency; Strategic Plan 2008-2014; 2.2 Economic Hardships; page 3. 746.3 million people do not have health insurance U.S. Census Bureau; Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008; Health Insurance Coverage in the United States; Highlights; page 20. 8Who are California’s homeless children California America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness; Ages of homeless children; page 1. 9There are more than 2,600 homeless individuals in Merced County, including women and children Merced County Community Action Agency; Strategic Plan 2008-2014; 2.2 Economic Hardships; page 3.

References : 

References 10Only 8% of the homeless population in Merced County is sheltered Merced County Community Action Agency; Strategic Plan 2008-2014; 2.2 Economic Hardships; page 3. 11California has the nation’s third highest foreclosure rate Realty Trac; US Foreclosure Market Data by State Q3 2009 http://www.realtytrac.com/foreclosure/foreclosure-rates.html 1-Nevada 2-Arizona 3-California 12The City of Merced has the third highest foreclosure rate in the nation. Realty Trac; US Metro Foreclosure Data Jan-June 2009 http://www.realtytrac.com/contentmanagement/pressrelease.aspx?channelid=9&itemid=6965 1 – Las Vegas – Paradise NV 2 – Cape Coral – Fort Myers FL 3 – Merced CA