Family Promise of Sarasota Inc. is affiliated with the national Family Promise program – more than 130,000 volunteers in 41 states committed to “fighting national poverty, one community at a time.” The Sarasota chapter was incorporated as a Florida 501(c)(3) agency in 2006 and began providing direct services to client families in 2007. Family Promise has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest rating offered by this independent evaluator of more than 5,500 of America’s largest charities.

Our volunteer-driven program provides a unique transitional support system designed to assist homeless families with children in stabilizing their lives so that they can once again obtain and retain permanent housing. Each week a Host Congregation provides accommodations, meals and transportation as needed for our Guest Families. Services are provided on a non-sectarian basis. Host Congregation volunteers provide dinner each evening and an overnight presence where the families are staying. Volunteers also drive our mini-bus, shop for groceries and supplies, get laundry and organizing done, and help out in the Family Promise office and day center, the base of operations for parents while they look for jobs and arrange for support services. Volunteers also serve on our Board of Directors and its committees. Overall, our volunteers donate an average of 200 hours a week of their time and talents – the equivalent of five full-time employees!

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