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Families to help Gwinnett homeless
Published April 3, 2009
GWINNETT COUNTY — As it approaches its fourth anniversary serving homeless families in the Gwinnett County area, Family Promise of Gwinnett County, a civic organization working through local churches, is looking to double the number of homeless families served.
According to officials, earlier this year the organization’s Board of Trustees decided to add a second rotation of congregations in 2010 to help host a total of approximately 40 “guest” families annually, a 100-percent increase from 2008. The organization is now in the process of meeting with congregations to solidify details and to recruit more congregations.
“The need for Family Promise has increased significantly and we are committed to increase services in order to meet that need,” said Joel Beck, president of FPGC’s board of trustees. “Our Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to move forward with plans to open a second rotation of congregations by January 2010.
“This will allow us to double the number of families we serve annually from 20 to 40.”
The move is part of the strategic plan of FPGC, which also calls for an additional social worker and creation of a mentor group to help families when they “graduate” from the program. The increased services will also require an additional van, truck and furniture to house families overnight. It is expected to cost about $110,000 and require about 15 more congregations. Currently, the organization works with 25 congregations.
Officials said the increase in services is needed to help the homeless in Gwinnett County where the economy has taken a toll on families over the last 12 months with evictions up by 13 percent to 24,225 and foreclosures up by 64 percent to a total of 13,758.
Gwinnett County also experienced the loss of 61,000 jobs last year.
Brent S. Bohanan, executive director of FPGC, said since beginning operation in April 2005, the organization has served 49 homeless families in Gwinnett County, helping 87 percent of the families graduate from the program with employment and housing and provided shelter, meals and support services to 93 children and their families.
“Families are leaving our program with a new found sense of purpose and hope for the future,” Beck said. “Real lives are being changed and impacted.”
Beck said to reach this goal, FPGC will need to recruit additional congregations and raise additional funds, which is why the organization is using the occasion of its fourth anniversary in an attempt to do just that. A gala anniversary fund-raiser is scheduled for April 23 at the Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth. The event will feature University of Georgia and Chicago Bears football star alumni Kevin Butler who will serve as honorary chairperson for the event. Among the activities will be a silent and live auction.
“Children make up 60 percent of the homeless population in Gwinnett County. We are excited to have the opportunity to help in reducing the homeless in our state and helping these families succeed,” said Julia Davis, who is chairing the 2009 gala event.
Tickets for the gala are available by calling 770-313-6086.
Prices start at $100 for an individual with sponsorships also available, officials said.
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