Annual luncheon raises $30,000 for Family Promise of Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Family Promise of Montgomery County held its 4th Annual Luncheon in April at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

Presented by Cowboy Kia, the featured speaker was Karen Olson, founder of Family Promise. Olson founded the organization through a local neighborhood group in New Jersey. Today, Family Promise is a national organization celebrating their 30th Anniversary.

Family Promise is a non-profit organization focused on assisting homeless families with children in need of shelter, food, and basic necessities. Olson shared her story to over 225 attendees about being drawn to those in need as a child, but how she became “numb” to homelessness because it was commonplace in her neighborhood. It took several years before she came across someone in need again and their situation captured her attention. Ms. Olson has dedicated her last three decades to changing lives and eliminating homelessness.

Family Promise of Montgomery County has a goal to alleviate homelessness for families with children in the county. They believe strong families build strong communities and their goal is to strengthen families and enable them to become self- sufficient and stable.

In partnership with local faith communities and businesses, Family Promise operates a 90-day shelter program; helps with job search, education and training; assists with transportation needs; offers financial literacy training; and provides aftercare and outreach once a family graduates from the program.

Kaniqua, a single mom of three young boys and a recent Family Promise graduate, shared with the attendees her story of becoming homeless and then finding Family Promise. With the help of Family Promise, she immediately secured employment, started saving her money, and soon found an affordable home.

Shawn Johnson, Chair of the fundraiser and Board member, offered these words, “The turnout from the community to support our mission was incredible, and we can never thank our community enough for helping us serve homeless children and their families here in Montgomery County.”

Through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and an online raffle, over $30,000 was raised to continue the mission of Family Promise in our county at the annual luncheon.

Local churches are encouraged to get involved by hosting families one week at a time a few times a year. Without a church to host the families, Family Promise must pay for hotels several times throughout the year to offer shelter for the families.

Meal donations are always appreciated! Contact LaToya Carter for addition information at LaToya@FamilyPromiseofMC.org Find out more about Family Promise of Montgomery County by visiting www.familypromiseofmc.org. Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FPMCT Call (936) 441-8778 7:00am-5:00pm Monday - Friday.