Hospitality Network
Our rotational shelter program and warm hospitality is the foundation of the Family Promise model.
A unique community based solution to providing emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
Since our inception, this has been our core program. Up to 4 families at a time receive needed temporary shelter. We partner with 50+ congregations that provide families with this lodging and hospitality in their houses of worship. Our 2,000+ volunteers cook, host activities for families, shop for groceries and prepare rooms for families to sleep in. During the day, our full-time case management staff provides support and helps them quickly move back into housing.
The innovative model — using existing space like congregations and volunteers motivated by compassion —has helped hundreds of children and adults in Delaware. Working with our community partners, we provide comprehensive and targeted services, including extensive case management, at 1/3 the cost of traditional shelter. The Hospitality Network serves families of all sizes, make-ups, and compositions
And it works.
On average, 85% of the people served in our Hospitality Network secure housing within 38 days! Because of the depth of services and community support, families stay housed.
How It Works
Families spend their days at our “Day Center”, where they can take showers, receive case management, and look for housing and jobs. In the evening a volunteer van driver transports our families to the Host Congregation, and in the morning back to the Day Center. Congregations host families in their places of worship for a week at a time. Volunteers give their time making meals and sharing hospitality. Family homelessness is addressed without the creation of expensive shelters. In Delaware, people have realized that this innovative approach truly makes a difference for families experiencing homelessness—and more than 2,100 volunteers.
These volunteers are the core of the program. They share food, spend the night, play with children and lend their passion and expertise to help families get back on their feet. They prove that motivated people can solve family homelessness and, in the process, they truly create “home” – and a community – for families who have no place left to turn.
Host Congregations
These partners directly house 4 families one week at a time 3-4 times a year. Volunteers provide hospitality, meals, activities and other support.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Bible Fellowship Church of Newark
Christ Church Christiana Hundred
Ebenezer United Methodist Church
Grace Lutheran Church
Hockessin United Methodist Church
Limestone Presbyterian Church
Peninsula-McCabe UMC
Skyline United Methodist Church
St. James Mill Creek Episocpal Church
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
St. Philip's Lutheran Church
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
The Good News Church, PCA
Westminster Presbyterian
White Clay Creek Presbyterian
Support Congregations Congregations
Volunteers from these partners may provide meals, drive the Hospitality Network van, sleep over, and provide hospitality for guest families; provide financial supporter; or support Family Promise NNCC in some other mutually beneficial way!
Arise Church
Avondale Presbyterian Church
Bethel AME
Chester Bethel UMC
Chippey AUM Church
Congregation Beth Emeth
Congregation Beth Shalom
First Alliance Church
Hanover Presbyterian Church
Holy Rosary
Kingswood United Methodist Church
LifePath Church
Marshalton United Methodist Church
Mt. Lebanon UMC
Resurrection Parish
Shiloh Baptist Church
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
St. John the Beloved Catholic Church
St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church
Trinity Community Church
Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
Zakat Foundation of America
Your congregation or organization can join us in ending family homelessness! For more information, contact Andréa Cox, Community Engagement Manager, at andrea@familypromisede.org or (302) 998-2222 ext. 103.
Your donation will keep families together and help them overcome homelessness. We accept monetary donations (click here to securely donate online) and donations of needed supplies (click here for our current wish list). Questions? Contact Tyler Shade, Development & Marketing Manager: tyler@familypromisede.org or (302) 998-2222 ext. 105.