To Family Promise and all your Staff:

This has been a very difficult time and without Family Promise and Cindy and your staff, I truly don’t know what we would have done. You have provided shelter, food and resources to help us get back on our feet. Not only that, but you have given us caring from all your hearts so we would all feel more comfortable. That is so very important. We were able to keep a sense of ourselves and our dignity. No one should lose that.

Now, I have moved out of the FPNI program into my own home with a chance to succeed on my own.

Cindy, I want to thank you and your staff, the whole organization for being there for people like me.
---G.W., First Grandmother in the FPNI Network

Volunteer with FPNI for a Day and Get One FREE Disney Day.
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REPORT FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

POVERTY . . .
This topic is making the headlines daily. Those involved in Family Promise, either as volunteers or guests, know that poverty is more than an issue or a headline; it is people. Families….children. Last week's Homeless Connect helped 537 people in Kootenai County who NEEDED this boost to get by. Most of them were from Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls. This program has begun in pockets all over the nation. There is not one in Spokane , there is not one in Boise…yet. North Idaho is seeking to alleviate some of the pressures of poverty with a mass collaborative effort using every community resource available through this 3rd Annual Homeless Connect.

When Carrie walked in the door (of the Homeless Connect), she looked scared, overwhelmed and confused. She slowly backed away. I went to her and asked if she was looking for something specific. She shrugged her shoulders, looked down and said, "I don’t know, my dad just told me to come here to get food and clothes." I gave her a short tour of the facility and let her know we were glad she came, and to enjoy the benefits…the services tables, the haircuts, showers, assessments from Dirne, H1N1 shots from Panhandle Health, veterinarian services, foot care, personal care packs from the Census, cloths, food, and, of course, a meal. Embarrassment was overcome by meeting of needs, hospitality and seeing that she wasn't the only one there. She was in the company of 536 others that had come there for the same reason.

As awareness grows, so does the program. Such is the case with Family Promise. That first year at the armory, four of our Board Members were present. We were not even incorporated as an organization yet! The passion to make a difference and compassion to make it work is the driving force behind Family Promise. Our volunteers are seen throughout the community striving to help families regain stability.

This past year was a tough one for our Family Promise families, both here and across the nation. As a national network, Family Promise length-of-stay statistics are up, resulting in less availability for the growing need of homeless families. The biggest challenge is finding sustainable employment. I am happy to announce that two of our current families have gainful employment and have housing lined up for February. Three of four of our current adults pursued higher education or special certifications while in shelter. Having basic needs met gives families the opportunity to look at the big picture and work toward their goals. All of our guests now attend the Circles Initiative, through Community Action Partnership, which helps with goal setting and knowing how to access community resources. Although our families face a LONG HAUL in our program, our volunteers make the daily struggles a little less painful by accepting them where they are and eagerly welcoming them 'home'each night until they have a home to call their own.

Homelessness may not end in the next 10 years, but Family Promise is working together to do its part to help our friends and neighbors get through the crisis of homelessness and on to stability - one family at a time.

CATCH THE FUN: 2ND ANNUAL WILD SALMON FEAST FUNDRAISER COMING FEBRUARY 13!

With prizes like a Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene and a Weekend Stay at a Twin Lakes cabin, folks are lining up to get a ticket to the 2nd Annual Wild Salmon Feast. Coming Saturday, February 13, to Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, this fun and delicious event has become a popular fundraiser for Family Promise of North Idaho. Doors will open at 5 p.m., for an evening of delicious food, music, prize drawings, a dessert auction and more.

White Cane Sockeye Salmon is again providing and helping to prepare the wild-caught salmon plucked from the cold waters of Bristol Bay, Alaska. (Chicken and vegetarian entrees alternatives are also available.) Those pre-ordering salmon to take home after the event will also be donating $1 per pound to FPNI. (See link at right to access the Wild Salmon Feast special order form.)

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has pledged $1,000 in matching funds from this event which is BEING coordinated by the three Lutheran Churches in the FPNI Network: Trinity, Calvary Lutheran and Lutheran Church of the Master. Event proceeds will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans up to $1,000.

While they last, tickets, $15 each, are available through board members, FPNI church coordinators and by calling the FPNI office, 777.4190, or 818.5465.

Laura started with FPNI in September, 2009. This is her account of some of her successes on behalf of our guests:

• As an AmeriCorps Volunteer, it is required that I coordinate service projects. The first service project was the October 24th “Make a Difference Day”. The project involved collecting socks and underwear for homeless people. The Post Falls School District and five community banks participated as collection sites during the week of October 16-23. Ninety-plus items and monetary funds were collected. Items were given to guests at Family Promise and were distributed at Homeless Connect.

• In November job blessings grew. It came to my attention that a guest needed monetary assistance to acquire an apartment. This need was presented to the Post Falls Volunteer board and $300.00 was received. Our guest moved into an apartment on the 19th.

• The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Walmart’s “Community Involvement Team” called and gave FPNI a once-a-year disbursement check for $100 (due to applying for a grant in October).