Family Promise of the South Bay

Family Promise of the South Bay (FPSB) is a community-based approach to solving homelessness, engaging both the local community, as well as, houses of faith in an effort to combat family homelessness. Families receive a full complement of resources, services and training as they work towards their own stability and self-reliance. This is accomplished by providing short-term shelter, meals, case management and the support of volunteer congregations.

FPSB formed in response to the growing need to provide shelter, meals and comprehensive support to families without homes while allowing the family to remain in tact. Family Promise is one of only two resources in the South Bay of Los Angeles that allows homeless families to stay together in shelter while they work towards self-reliance. FPSB believes that no child should have to sleep in a car, in a park, or under a bridge, and that every family deserves to be whole and have a roof over their head again. It is through an effective and innovative approach that Family Promise partners with an interfaith network to serve newly homeless families.

Families entering the emergency shelter program stay as the guests of congregations throughout the South Bay. These churches open their doors to provide a bed for the evening, nutritious meals, and the hospitality of a loving community. Support Congregations, while not hosting families directly, strengthen the network by providing volunteers for host sites and the Family Day Center, supplies and food for the families, and in some cases, financial support for families when they graduate from the program.

As a support congregation, St. Cross is paired with Good Shepard Lutheran Church (Torrance), which serves as the host church. Additionally, both as a group and individually, members of St Cross have volunteered to support other host churches when needed.

In our FP ministry, we celebrate, explore and share God’s love through service which includes providing food, hospitality and time when we are responsible for dinner, evening hosting and overnight stays. We in turn get to connect with people who are overcoming tremendous challenges and have such grace and fortitude. Additionally, those who participate in this ministry find it a sacred space to connect with others and find that we are not all as different as we may think.

Additionally, St Cross member support FPSB’s fundraising efforts. We had a St Cross table at the FPSB biggest fundraising dinner, Empty Bowls. Additionally, the St Cross ministry raises funds to purchased beds for the children when families graduating from the program and moving to their own home.

We glorify God through serving others. We are so fortunate to have the resources of food, time and God’s glory, which allows us to go forth in FP ministry. One of our favorite expressions about this ministry is that we all have different resources to share and offer. We bring food, good will and kind words of support and in turn we witness the power of the Spirit through the success of people who receive what we offer and do the hard work to make their lives and their children’s lives more hopeful.

Contacts:

Patricia Terry, 310-783-0648
Susan Siegmund