Family Promise Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can a family who needs shelter get help?
If a family is in need of shelter, they should first contact our office and complete a 15 minute telephone assessment. The case manager will review the assessment and if the family appears eligible to receive our services and we have an opening in our IHN, an interview will be scheduled.
Q: What facilities are required by host congregations?
A: Each Host Congregation provides private or semi-private space for each family. A lounge area, dining area, kitchen facilities, access to bathrooms, and sleeping accommodations. Ideally, congregations provide separate rooms for families. Classrooms work very well. Where this isn't possible, fellowship halls or other rooms divided by partitions provide privacy.
Q: How often does a church host?
A: The network of churches rotate with hosting weeks, so evrey 12-13 weeks, or one a quarter year do churches host. Take a look at our calendar to see how our rotation of churces works.
Q: Can families' belongings be moved in the morning and back in the evening so that the church can use the space during the day?
A: The sleeping accommodations need to be dedicated for the entire host week. That is, the beds and guests' belongings must not be moved in the mornings and put back in the evenings. Besides being cumbersome, this would be difficult for the guests. When guests arrive on Sunday, they come with all their belongings, a few of their children's favorite toys, perhaps some family pictures, and they arrange the space as if it were their home.
Q: How long do families stay in the Network?
A: The families may stay for a maximum of 60 days. This amount of time can be extended as long as families are making a good faith effort to secure housing.
Q: Where do guest families stay during the day on weekends?
A: Families stay at the Day Center at Family Promise of Coastal Alabama Offices.
Q: How are families referred to the Network?
A: The Family Promise Case Manager is connected with various referring agencies such as existing family shelters, public welfare, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.
Q: Isn't it difficult for families to move each week?
A: Moving each week isn't ideal. However, most families say the homelike setting and the support of volunteers more than compensate for the moving, and the opportunity to meet new volunteers is welcomed. While host congregations change every week or two, the Day Center remains the same and thus provides continuity and a home base for the families as they look for housing and jobs. The day center also provides a permanent address that families can use in housing and job searches.
Q: Will children miss school because their families are staying in different congregations every week or two?
A: No. All school age children in the Network attend school. The Family Promise van transports children to and from school.
Q: What are the insurance implications? In general, does the congregation have to amend its policy?
A: Each local network carries general liability insurance. Because a congregation's outreach ministry embraces participation in Family Promise, its regular property and liability policy generally covers the program. Thus most congregations find that they do not need extra insurance since the Family Promise program is considered to be an activity of the church such as Youth Sleepover or Friday Night Supper. To be sure, a congregation should contact its insurance agent.
Q: Do congregations need permission from their Planning and Zoning board to become a host congregation?
A: None of the 500 participating Family Promise host congregations has had to receive permission from its town zoning board. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not only to worship but also to provide hospitality, which includes sheltering within the church or synagogue. Because of this, the Network does not come under shelter regulations, since it is housed in the church and thus is considered a mission of the church. A few churches have sought approval and have run into red tape and delays, only to find out that they didn't need to seek approval.
Q: How is Family Promise of Coastal Alabama funded?
A: Family Promise of Coastal Alabama recieves it's budget from churches, fundraising, individual donors and grants and foundations.
