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.

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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

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And it works.

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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.

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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

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