Family Promise of Knoxville

What is Family Promise?
Factsheet

Mission Statement: Family Promise of Knoxville is a non-profit organization uniting the faith community and other area social services to provide shelter, meals, and comprehensive support to families without homes, enabling them to achieve sustainable independence.

What We Do: Family Promise of Knoxville is an affiliate of the national Family Promise organization. Family Promise of Knoxville unites the Knoxville community and local resources to do what individuals alone cannot do. The cornerstone of Family Promise of Knoxville is our Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). We have united 12 "host" congregations and 17 "support" congregations in the Knoxville area, numerous volunteers, our core staff, and local social services agencies into a synergistic team that provides temporary housing, meals, and assistance to families without homes to help them become self sufficient.

Family Promise of Knoxville has established the Family Promise Academy that provides classes on nutrition, parenting, household finances, and budgeting to current IHN guests, former guests, and families in the community that need assistance. We believe that teaching life skills and parenting skills to families strengthens these families and the community overall. Classes are held regularly.

Family Promise of Knoxville is establishing a Family Mentoring Program that pairs volunteers with families that have graduated from our IHN program. Please contact the Family Promise Executive Director, Nicole Craig, if you are interested in becoming a family mentor to find out family mentor details and responsibilities.

Click here for details on giving a Gift to Family Promise of Knoxville. We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit public charity.

Sign up as a "fan" of Family Promise of Knoxville at www.abunga.com and 5% of every purchase you make at the site will be donated to us.

Donate to Family Promise of Knoxville via PayPal.

IHN Program News

Check out our latest fact sheet for the latest statistics and information on the IHN program.

Room at the Inn - Hallmark Magazine

Hard Life for a Child - Knox News 11/4/07

Learn more about Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities

Recent Successes!

Several of our families have recently moved into housing. Thanks to all of the volunteers who have made this possible and for your generosity in helping these families set up house.
Redecorating or Reorganizing? We have a need for used, good condition, bunk beds, cooking utensals, pots and pans, dishes, glasses, bookshelves, dressers, and plastic storage containers. Please contact Joyce Shoudy if you can help.

2008
Family Promise
Pasta
Cook-Off &
Dessert Auction

Saturday, August 23, 2008
Knoxville Museum of Art
5:30 - 8:30 PM

Become a Pasta Cookoff Sponsor
We need your support!

2008 Pasta Cook-Off Sponsor List

Tickets can be purchased online via PayPal

Individual Tickets

$10 Advance Purchase/
$15 at door

Family Tickets

$20 Advance Purchase/
$25 at door

Important Coordinators Meeting -
about the "Pasta Cookoff"
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Please join us at 6:30 pm for important information, ideas, lessons learned, and fellowship.

Location: Church Street
United Methodist Church, Room 120
(located downtown on the corner of Henley and Church Streets, )

For information on becoming a host or support congregation, please contact Laurie Birt at LaurieBirt@charter.net.

Family Promise of Knoxville Brochure

2007 & 2008 Schedule

How the Family Promise Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) Program Works

Each Sunday morning, guest families rotate to the next host congregation in the Network, where families are provided private accommodations for the upcoming week. Guests are transported between host churches and our Day Center by the Family Promise van drivers in our large van. School-age children are transported to and from school through arrangements with Knox County School District.

During the Day

At Night

IHN guests use our Day Center, known as Harley House, which provides an address and safe place for families during the day. School-age children attend school and working parents attend work.

The Family Promise Executive Director (Nicole Craig) and Director of Family Support Services (Joyce Shoudy) have offices at the Harley House, and are available Monday through Friday from 8 am until 5 pm.

The Director of Family Support Services works intensively with guest families in the network as they seek childcare, housing, jobs, medical assistance, helping them to connect with resources that will help them become self-sufficient.

So far, over 70% of families participating in the Family Promise IHN program have successfully graduated into housing.

Families stay at one of our 12 host churches in the evenings and overnight. Volunteers from our host and support congregation teams

prepare and serve meals,
serve as evening or overnight hosts,
help set up and tear down guest accommodations, and
help with laundry.

Volunteers also organize activities, such as family game night, tutoring, arts and crafts, or outings.

Special classes on nutrition, parenting, and budgeting are sometimes provided in the evening for parents via the Family Promise Academy, and volunteers are needed for childcare or children's activities during class times.

Volunteer Information

How can I help?

Become a Volunteer
Fill out our Volunteer Resource Form
Make a donation
Tell others about Family Promise
Consider serving on the Board of Directors or a committee. Please contact Laurie Birt
Contact Anne O'Connor if you would like to volunteer at the Day Center

IHN Volunteer Coordinators Corner

Volunteer Coordinator meetings are held every other month on the 4th Tuesday. Meetings will resume on January 22, 2008. Please join us at 6:30 pm for information, ideas, lessons learned, and fellowship.

Location: Church Street
United Methodist Church, Room 120
(located downtown on the corner of Henley and Church Streets, )

Updated 07/15/08