OUR MISSION

Our mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community based response.

OUR VISION

Our vision is a community in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future.

Our Story

In 2014 The Grant County Taskforce on Homelessness, a group of representatives from agency partnerships and community members identified a growing concern in Grant County - an increase of families with children experiencing homelessness.  With no local shelters and lacking resources to address this concern the taskforce began to identify and research potential options to address this concern.  A "Call to Action" event was planned after researching a National Interfaith Hospitality Network; now known as Family Promise. Family Promise is the nation's leading organization working to prevent and end family homelessness.  A holistic approach to helping families achieve stability.

 The Call-to-Action Event consisted of inviting 70+ churches across Grant County, agency representatives, and community members.  A panel discuss comprised of representatives from our local Southwest Community Action Program (SWCAP) and UW Extension Grant County providing local data, representatives of Grant County's largest school district (Platteville), and the director and board chair of Family Promise of Green Co. a newly formed Wisconsin affiliate of Family Promise.

 After sharing the why we were there, county data around homelessness in Rural Grant County, Wisconsin; what homelessness looks in like in rural areas, the effects of homelessness on children, and barriers addressing the needs and lack of service options the idea of forming a Family Promise Grant County affiliate was put forth.  Eighty plus individuals attended that evening and as a call to action a vote was put forward to start the process moving forward in efforts to bring Family Promise to Grant County. It was unanimous!

That goal was achieved, and January 2016 Family Promise of Grant County opened its doors after developing the first board of directors, filing for 501 (c) 3 status, gaining support of 10 host churches and 7 additional support churches, securing a day center location at St. Clements in Lancaster, raising funds, and hiring its first Executive Director.  Two years of hard work by committed determined individuals who understood that family homelessness and poverty are complex issues that require comprehensive, innovative solutions.  This holistic approach to the crisis of family homelessness includes three key areas of focus: prevention, shelter, and stabilization.

 

Our Program Director - Kimberly Jacobson

Kimberly began as the Family Promise Director in December of 2020.  She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling and Psychological Services through St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.  She has 20+ years of experience working in the human service and non-profit fields.  Her past roles included both direct service, providing parent support, family mediation, crisis counseling and service team coordination; as well as working as a program coordinator and program supervisor.  Kimberly is new to Grant County and has lived in Montfort since the summer of 2020.

Board of Directors

  • Bev Doll

    President

  • Kathleen Schink

    Treasurer

  • Lynn Knutson

    Secretary

  • Fred A. Naatz

  • Stacy Martin

  • Lisa Riley

    Board member

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