The Interfaith Hospitality Network- Is our core program that provides a shelter like model for homeless families with children. This program provides an outlet for churches, non-denominational groups and local resources to come together to help homeless families. Each participating group in the Network provides overnight lodging, evening activities and meals for three to five families (up to 14 persons) for one week each, on a two or three month rotating basis. Network “guests” stay in each participating site from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily. Each morning guests are taken to the day center via or program van.
Day center- Is open and staffed daily. At the Day Center guests can take showers, make meals from our fully stocked kitchen, receive case management to assist in goal setting, financial literacy and housing searches. The guests have access to computers and wi-fi to assist with job and housing searches.
Transportation Assistant- Is a program designed to help link guests to car repairs, provide alternative transportation solutions, or help meet other transportation goals for families who have meet financial literacy goals and are in high need of transportation for work or medical purposes
Career Advancement Program-Is a program designed to help clients obtain a higher level of certification or training to advance in their career and obtain a livable wage. Guests have access to computers and wi-fi for online training as available.
Transitional housing refers to a supportive, yet temporary housing intended to help bridge gaps from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support, life skills, and in some cases, education and training.
Transitional House 1- Promise House a group transitional house for up to four families who have successfully met their employment goals but need additional time and rental history to successfully find long-term housing in Skagit County’s tight housing market. Through this program we also teach sustainable living classes such as gardening, chicken care canning etc. Along with advanced courses in New Beginning financial literacy which looks at long term goals.
Transitional House 2-Grace House- A longer term housing model dedicated to serving pregnant moms who need more time to build stronger foundation for new or growing families. Through this program we also offer life skills classes, New Beginnings financial literacy courses, interdisciplinary team approaches with links to outside services and trained mentors.
Transitional House 3-Allen House-Came to our rescue in a time of emergency and is still be fit into our programming. Our hope is to develop this into a final stage Transitional House for those who are interested in becoming first time home buyers. We are currently working on creating an advanced set of courses that will help these guests to work on the final stages of credit repair and begin engaging with mortgage lenders. This Transitional House is partially furnished for guests allowing them the space to begin obtaining the things they will need for there own homes
Aftercare at Family Promise of Skagit we do not believe our work is done when clients are housed. That is why we continue to serve our clients for as long as the need our assistance. We have a pantry style food bank, we offer Christmas and holiday assistance, diapers, hygiene products etc. Family Mentoring is a comprehensive approach that matches trained volunteers with graduated or at-risk families for a sustained and productive mentoring relationship. Mentors work with families to help them address day to day issues like budgeting, parenting and more in a supportive, peer relationship.
New Beginnings®, the Family Promise financial literacy curriculum, is the result of a partnership between Family Promise and Woodforest National Bank, one of the nation’s leading community banks. This unique curriculum, tailored to low-income families, provides a comprehensive approach to achieving financial sustainability, from basic banking concepts to budgeting and managing credit. It is clear and accessible for families of all backgrounds.We are currently running this course on a weekly basis for the guests engaged in any of our programs. Our goal is to help them become as sustainable as possible for when they leave our services. We are always looking for mentors and guest speakers to help teach and work with us in these classes.
HUMI/Operation Lift- Help Us Move In is a Washington state-based nonprofit working with communities to fund and create programs helping families facing housing crises. Partner agencies will receive a Homeless No More Challenge Grant from HUMI to launch a program aimed at eviction prevention and rehousing for families with children. At Family Promise of Skagit we have reached our final challenge year. Since 2016 this program has placed and prevented the homelessness of 138 children. In order to keep this program going we have turned the challenge back to the community to a $20,000 match. We have locked the remaining funds in a reserve and release matching funds for anything donated by the community. Please call the day center to hear how to donate or get involved