Non-Pro t Helps Families Facing Housing Crises

By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY – Daffodils

The vibrant yellow blooms represent new beginnings, a fitting symbol for the non-profit that owns the building. Family Promise of the Jersey Shore aims to help struggling families grow permanent roots of their own.

Dozens of children have hopped on the swings and slid down the slide outside the house while parents sat on the back deck. The interior of the house has a friendly and warm décor with family photos of people who may not have ever crossed paths – but are on the same journey.

A kitchen and laundry room are available for families in transition. Upstairs bedrooms converted to play areas and meeting rooms provide daytime refuge to Family Promise clients. The already homeless admitted to the program will fi nd sleeping accommodations in a location separate from the Day Center.

“Some of the people who call us have the impression that we won’t help them until they’re living in their car,” said Krista Raj, one of the group’s case managers. “We’re a resource and here to act as advocates because navigating the system is really difficult.”

Family Promise is a national organization that began in Summit, New Jersey. According to its mission statement, the goal is to “help families experiencing homelessness and economic uncertainty to achieve sustainable independence through prevention programs, advocacy and community sup- port services.”

The local non-profit changed names recently to reflect an expansion in its service base. Formerly known as Family Promise of Southern Ocean County, the organization branched out to the entire county to offer its prevention program during COVID. As Family Promise of the Jersey Shore, the group plans to fi nd additional host sites to house the already homeless in other parts of Ocean County.

Referrals generally come from the Ocean County Board of Social Services, which provides those in need with a list of agencies that can help them. Someone who works in Toms River or whose children attend school there may fi nd it too expensive and time-consuming to move into temporary accommodations in Little Egg Harbor. Family Promise hopes its expansion will provide a safe haven in the northern end of the county as well.

Between its prevention program and temporary housing support, Family Promise assisted 1,700 individuals by the end of 2022.

Homelessness Prevention

Elizabeth Golla, the non-profit’s executive director, said one of the group’s goals focuses on preventing people from going through the rigors of losing housing in the first place. Not only does the organization step in and assist people in catching up on back rent and mortgage payments, but it also ensures families are not affected by utility shutoffs by taking care of outstanding bills.

“We have paid to fi x cars to make sure people can get to and from work,” added Golla. “We try to offset other costs, so they