Help for the homeless in Monroe County
LINDA KOEHLER/TIMES NEWS Left to right, Laurie Kozar, board member and Chairwoman for Fund Development and volunteer Bonnie Drinkwater, share information about Family Promise with Sarah Rusnock of Brodheadsville at Pleasant Valley's Night of Unity.
If you think the West End and parts of Monroe County are without homeless people, guess again.
Family Promise of Monroe County, a nonprofit non-denominational organization, had a booth at the Pleasant Valley Night of Unity event to try to make the community aware of the problem and offer ways to help those in need of a shelter.
The national organization helps communities mobilize them into providing safe shelter, meals and support services for homeless families. It also provides programs designed to redress the underlying causes of homelessness.
It does this through the its five basic components of Congregations, Day Center, Transportation, Volunteers and Fundraising.
There are 13 host congregations that rotates weekly in providing lodging, dinner and caring hospitality three to four times a year.
Guests use a local Day Center from 5 a.m.-5 p.m. where a professional social worker provides case management services to help guests pursue employment, permanent housing, care for preschool children, shower and to do laundry.
Transportation is provided for the guests to get to the Day Center and other appointments.
Volunteers provide a range of services like cooking, serving meals, playing with children, helping with homework, interacting with guests with respect and compassion while providing overnight security.
Fundraising is what keeps it going, along with donations and grants.
To learn more about Family Promise, call 570-420-8589.
