Dear FP Friends & Family,
While we are so very grateful to have reimbursement grant funding available for our Help Us Stay In (HUSI) Eviction Prevention Program and Help Us Move In (HUMI) Rapid Rehousing Program, the need in Martin County has never been greater, each year we find the need growing as inflation grows but wages just do not keep pace. We are seeing a record number of families reaching out for assistance—many of them hardworking members of our local workforce, including nurses, social workers, teachers, service professionals, and other parents who are doing everything right yet find themselves one unexpected event away from losing their housing.
As the late Rev. Tim Keller often reminded us, “Mercy is not only an emotional response to need; it is a practical response.” The families coming to us are not looking for handouts; they are looking for a bridge through a difficult season. For some, a spouse in a two-income household has been laid off and the family, already living paycheck to paycheck, cannot absorb the loss of income. For others, a medical emergency has created overwhelming expenses, or a single parent simply can no longer keep pace with rising rent.
Our commitment is to be good stewards of every dollar entrusted to us. Before assistance is awarded, we carefully vet both families and landlords, verify pay stubs and bank statements, review budgets, and assess whether a family can sustain housing after receiving help. Some households ultimately become candidates for our shelter or transitional housing programs, while others can remain successfully housed with temporary support and guidance.
We also encounter parents who have never been taught basic budgeting skills and, in an age where almost every purchase happens digitally, have lost track of where their money is going. In those situations, we become the parent, coach, and advocate they may never have had—teaching practical financial habits, sometimes as simply as tracking expenses on paper. Over the years, we have also worked creatively to identify shared-housing opportunities, matching families with children of similar ages or pairing seniors with a single parent and child when appropriate. While shared housing often sounds easier than it proves to be in practice, our team has developed significant experience helping families explore every realistic option to achieve stability.
For some, these tools and alternative housing solutions create a path forward; for others, even after careful budgeting, the numbers still do not work without short-term assistance.
As we begin our July 2026–June 2027 fiscal year, we must raise at least $60,000 triple matching grant to continue this vital work. Housing instability affects not only parents but also their children, whose health, education, and future opportunities are placed at risk when housing is lost. Tim Keller wrote, “The gospel creates a people who use their resources for others rather than simply for themselves,” and that spirit of neighborly care is what makes this work possible. We invite you to learn more about our HUSI and HUMI programs below and consider how you can help us keep working families housed, safe, healthy, and equipped with the tools and resources they need for long-term stability. We need $20,000 to kick-off the grant challenge. All these funds remain set-aside restricted to serve the families in eviction prevention and rapid rehousing.
Together, we can ensure that a temporary crisis does not become a permanent setback and that the families who make up our local workforce have the opportunity to remain part of the community they serve every day.
God's Peace & Promise,
Madeleine |
|
| Every month, Family Promise receives countless calls from families in need. While we can't share every story, we want to take a moment to celebrate some of the incredible wins made possible through the support of our community. (Be sure to ask us about our Wins Board the next time you visit our office!) |
|
- A new beginning! After spending time in our Shelter Rotation Program while securing full-time employment, one mom and her son reached an incredible milestone. After saving $3,000, they moved into permanent shared housing! We couldn't be more excited for them. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Host and Support Congregation volunteers who prepared meals, welcomed them with compassion, and helped make their transition possible.
- Moving on up! One of our moms, a local teacher, and her daughter recently transitioned from our Almost Home unit (1 bedroom, 1 bath) into our Next Step Transitional Housing unit (2 bedrooms, 1 bath). Having more space to call their own has been an exciting next step in their journey toward independence.
- Career wins! Two parents secured permanent full-time employment through our partnership with Career Connect, bringing greater financial stability to their families.
- Another parent is taking the next step toward a rewarding career by training to become a Home Health Aide with support from Career Connect.
- Through our Eviction Prevention: HUMI and HUSI programs, we helped families remain safely housed or move into stable housing by investing more than $10,000 in July alone. Every request is carefully reviewed—including income, expenses, and supporting documentation—to ensure assistance is part of a sustainable plan that helps families achieve long-term stability, not just a temporary solution. See below for details about HUMI/HUSI.
|
|
| See the above video of our Next Step transitional housing unit. |
|
Every Success Story Starts with Support
While we celebrate these incredible milestones, the reality is that none of them happen without the generosity of our community. Every request for assistance is carefully reviewed to ensure families are committed to a sustainable path toward long-term stability. We are thoughtful stewards of every dollar entrusted to us—and we can only provide assistance when funding is available.
Today, our Eviction Prevention, HUMI (Help Us Move In), and HUSI (Help Us Stay In) funds are running critically low. That means families who have done everything right may have to wait for help simply because the resources aren't there. Your support ensures we can continue saying "yes" when families need us most. |
|
We Need You! Become a Family Promise Volunteer
Our families continue to need the support of caring, compassionate volunteers—and right now, we're especially looking for Childcare Angels and Family Center Angels.
These volunteer opportunities offer something truly special: the chance to build meaningful connections with the families we serve. Whether you're reading a book with a child, playing a game, helping keep our Family Center welcoming, or simply offering a smile and encouragement, your time can make a lasting impact on a family working toward stability and independence.
As our seasonal volunteers have wrapped up their commitments, many have not yet returned, leaving us with volunteer gaps that we urgently need to fill. If you've been looking for a meaningful way to give back in Martin County, this is it!
We need you. Just a few hours of your time can help create hope, encouragement, and a sense of community for families facing or experiencing homelessness.
Interested in joining our volunteer team? We'd love to hear from you! Email us today for more information or to request a volunteer application. Together, we can continue helping families build brighter futures. |
|
| Pictured above (from left to right): Paige Cortes, Roberta Virta, Belinda Lowe, Cory Rubal, Madeleine Bozone Greenwood, Sandy Wright, Jeanne Mitchell, Roz Miller, Allie Pago, Levi Miller, Livia Bonet |
|
We’re currently seeking sponsors, teams and donations to get the party started!
Getting involved now is a great way to gain early visibility, show community support, and be part of something memorable!
Mark your calendars for November 14, 2026!
|
|
 |
|
|
Our goal at Family Promise of Martin County is to help children and their families experiencing homelessness transition to a home of their own. In order to help maintain housing stability, we provide shelter, meals, transportation, case management, financial training, and education through a network of congregations, volunteers, and donations.
Donations are gratefully accepted, either online or by clicking the link, or may be mailed to:
Family Promise of Martin County
P.O. Box 1919 Stuart, FL 34995
772-266-9327 info@mcfamilypromise.org |
|
|
| How did you like this email? |
|
|
|
| A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. #CH59005 |
|
|
|
|
