Family Promise

Family Promise was started 10 years ago and serves the homeless in Skagit County. They provide a variety of housing scenarios for families and offer case management, education on finances, parenting, life skills. Nov-March they offer seasonal shelter because of inclement weather. Year round they have rotational shelter with churches. During the day the families are at the day center and then each week a different church provides a meal and shelter daily. The progression typically is from the shelter (60 day max) to transitional housing where there may be multiple families to single family homes to permanent housing as the adults gain life skills and employment. In 2024 they served 193 families/ 393 children. The valley's vacancy rate is less than 1% so finding housing is difficult. They have a 80% success rate of getting families into stable housing. Funding comes from city, county and state governments, grants, churches and private donations. How can we help? Do a gift card drive, they use gift cards to help families gain food, do a shelter drive for specific items that the shelter needs. ie hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers. Attend their two fund raisers: tea party 5/17 or fall gala 9/6.

Susan Guterbock AG spoke to us about the upcoming district conference 5/2-4 at Tulalip. She did share several Canadians have cancelled their reservation because they are afraid they won't be welcomed in United States. (side note: very sad, one of Rotary's area of focus is peace and conflict resolution, all Rotarians are welcome to the conference) To register go to the district site rotarydistrict5050.org and to reserve a room call Tulalip at 866-716-7162 and be sure to mention Rotary.