First Christian Church of Phoenix, Arizona, joins Family Promise to shelter and feed homeless families

In partnership with Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, First Christian Church of Phoenix, referred to as FCCPHX, has joined the nonprofit’s partner network to provide shelter and meals for local families experiencing homelessness throughout the year.

With support from members of the congregation, FCCPHX set up shelters at its facility to host families overnight and provides dinner for the families every night of the week, according to a press release.

Ted Taylor, CEO of Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, said the organization’s goal is to keep families together during the most difficult times in their lives. “Keeping children with their parents and pets reduces the risk that they find themselves without a home in the future,” Taylor said. “Volunteer community organizations like First Christian Church of Phoenix make it possible for us to positively impact many families across the Valley. We couldn’t be more thankful for their continued support and service.”

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to end family homelessness by providing struggling families with financial education, employment and housing assistance, and innovative transitional housing projects. It relies on an interfaith network of volunteer religious congregations to shelter and feed the families it serves while the nonprofit assists them on their journey back to self-sufficiency.

Pastor Jerome Parker, host coordinator for FCCPHX, said the church is passionate about serving the community and bringing light to every area of society. “Partnering with Family Promise allows us to address a major societal issue by helping our neighbors in their time of need,” Parker said.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing, homelessness has been a growing issue in Maricopa County, increasing 23 percent over the past three years. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that children facing housing insecurity are at higher risk of emotional and behavioral problems, serious health complications, and lower academic performance, and are more likely to experience homelessness in the future, social services experts say. Experiencing homelessness can have a significant impact on families, particularly children.

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix has set a goal to aid 300 families in 2025 by working with its congregational partners and providing families with educational, housing, and employment resources to help them move toward self-sufficiency. The organization has also helped families avoid placement in shelter systems through its preventative programming.

Source: Read the original report