In response to homelessness, Family Promise of Lycoming County (FPLC) brings the faith community together to help families regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity. FPLC is a non-profit organization that works with a partnership network of congregations within the community and aims to help children and their families who are facing homelessness. In addition to serving local homeless families, they offer an opportunity for volunteers of all faiths to work to reduce homelessness and transform lives in our community. Since opening in 2010, FPLC has served over 150 families comprised of over 700 individuals by offering shelter, food, and essential case management.

Their three-part social service program offers assistance to those who are on the brink of homelessness in their Prevention Program. People in the Prevention Program that are seeking help are offered the same case management as a shelter participant, focusing on budgeting, goal setting and problem solving, as well as help with Rental Matching. The FPLC also provides a food pantry and a free clothing closet. In their Shelter Program they offer families the safety of housing, free meals, and case management. Shelter Program graduates are 93% successful in keeping homes five years after recovering from homelessness. In addition, FPLC provides After Care programming where they continue to offer support, advice, and assistance for guests. Family Promise truly becomes a family to those who have come to them for help.

In 2016, Family Promise opened Promise House, a two unit transitional housing program where they support larger families for up to 24 months. During this time, FPLC helps families to learn how to improve credit scores with the goal of buying a house at the end of their stay.

Family Promise accomplishes their goals with help from over 23 local churches of every denomination located throughout Lycoming County comprised of over 700 volunteers. These volunteers make FPLC programming possible by assisting with guests stays, helping at the Family Promise office, being a part of their Board of Directors, attending fundraising events, and joining committees.

In addition, each staff member at Family Promise knows personally the struggle of recovery from homelessness. Each has their own story of how life circumstances overwhelmed their family causing each to no longer have a home. Jenny Hull, now Executive Director, became homeless with her children in 2001; moving to her car for shelter. She experienced moving from place to place, staying in other people’s homes, and caring for her children with nowhere to live. Jenny eventually put herself through college, regained a home and became part of Family Promise in 2012. It is Jenny’s passion to help other families succeed at regaining their independence.

All of this great work takes funding, however, which is why Family Promise is hosting their annual Homes for All Blue Jean Ball to benefit Family Promise of Lycoming County. Join Family Promise of Lycoming County for their 5th annual fundraising event to support local homeless families in our community. They will celebrate the success stories of past guests and hear plans for the future of Family Promise.

Homes for All Blue Jean Ball

Date: 11/02/2019

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Williamsport Country Club

Cost: $50 per person

Homes for All Blue Jean Ball will feature a buffet style meal with beef tips, haddock, and chicken along with multiple sides and four varieties of dessert. A cash bar is available. This year’s auction will feature Rick Mahonski jewelry, Tory Leather, and Vera Bradley bags. Also included in the auction are ski lift & lesson passes, a time share, a whiskey wagon, a brewery bundle, signed sports memorabilia, and over 50 silent auction items. A new feature to the event is a wine pull, which will be full of a wide variety of wines, with two lucky winners getting a $50 Visa gift card! Games of chance and music will be provided by John Mackey.

All proceeds will help families in Lycoming County become and remain self-sufficient by Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness.

To purchase tickets, please use their Eventbrite ticket link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/homes-for-all-blue-jean-ball-tickets-70083677165?aff=efbeventtix) or contact them directly at 570-567-7103.

Family Promise of Lycoming County is committed to helping families without homes get back on their feet and find and maintain secure housing. If you are interested in helping them accomplish their goal of reducing homelessness in Williamsport and Lycoming County or if you or someone you know needs help, please visit their website http://www.familypromiselycoming.org or contact them at 570-567-7103.