Dear Community Members and Partners,
My name is Abbie Hockstad, and I am the Executive Director for Family Promise of Barry County. Our mission is to help families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. We are a 501c3 nonprofit, supported through individual donations, grants, and fundraising events. We could not exist without this continued provision. I am writing to you today in the hopes of supporting our mission and our endeavors here in Barry County.
Did you know, U.S homelessness up is 12% to highest reported level as rents soar and pandemic aid lapses? “” While numerous factors drive homelessness, the most significant causes are the shortage of affordable homes and the high cost of housing that have left many Americans living paycheck to paycheck and one crisis away from homelessness,” Jeff Olivet said. With the overall rise, homelessness among individuals rose by nearly 11 percent, among veterans by 7.4 percent and among families with children by 15.5 percent.” (pbs.org/newshour/economy)
Family homelessness is here in Barry County, and with your help, we can end homelessness one family at a time. Our programming allows us to be with families every step of the way to empower them to economic stability. We strongly believe that every child needs a clean, safe place to sleep and that families should stay together—not separated as in traditional shelter programs—during their most difficult time in their lives. Families come to us in crisis; we help them rebuild their lives with new skills and ongoing support.
Your partnership brings emotional security, individual growth, personal safety, educational consistency, tangible support, and economic stability to the families of Barry County. But most importantly, your support will ensure a future for Family Promise of Barry County and assist us in achieving our vision in creating a community in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and that chance to build a better future. Help us give families the promise of a home.
Sincerely,
Abbie Hockstad, Executive Director
Family Promise of Barry County