The following is a news release from Family Promise of Lubbock:
Family Promise of Lubbock will celebrate the addition of a new home for homeless families on Thursday, July 19. The “Blessing of the House” will take place at 1:30 at 2302 13th Street.
Pregnant and homeless women have few options when living on the streets. The new space at Family Promise is designed to house these homeless expectant mothers. They will continue to stay after the birth of their babies. Therefore, each bedroom is fully furnished and contains a baby bed.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church, recognizing the need to assist expectant mothers living on the streets, provided the funding to renovate a space that had previously been used as storage. The remodeled space now has two bedrooms, a full bathroom, utility room and living room. It has been named “The Spirit House.”
Father Rudi Crasta will deliver a blessing as the remodeled facility opens its doors to the homeless in Lubbock.
The Family Promise Pregnancy Care program provides expectant mothers with safe housing, food and classes designed to help these mothers during their pregnancy. After a mother gives birth Family Promise continues to provide safe housing, food, baby supplies such as diapers, wipes, and clothing. Classes are continued to help mother and baby begin life together with a strong foundation. Mother and baby remain in the program until the mother can find employment, financial stability, and a new place to call home.
Family Promise has served homeless families with children since 1998. Family Promise is more than a shelter, it is a stepping stone for families who wish to leave homelessness and provide a bright future for children. When homeless families have nowhere to turn, Family Promise provides hope for a second chance. Family Promise provides a home, meals and a safe place for kids while parents rebuild their lives to leave homelessness forever.
In the past two years 23 families who completed the Family Promise program are now living independently. Those families total 87 individuals with 15 of those under the age of one year old.
“The number of homeless families continues to grow,” says Doug Morris, Executive Director of Family Promise. “Here, families can stay together, they aren’t separated as happens in many shelters. So they can work together to overcome their problems and build their future together.”
There is never a charge to families while they live at Family Promise. A network of 26 churches of all denominations throughout Lubbock provide meals each day as well mentors to the families.
There will be opportunities to tour and photograph the home. Interviews will be given by volunteers and families in the program.
For more information about the programs at Family Promise of Lubbock, or to donate, please call (806) 744-5035.
(News release from Family Promise of Lubbock)
