Our Housing Team has been really busy lately, so we wanted to introduce you to Jimmy Jemmerson, the chair of the team, and ask him for details.
Jimmy has been a volunteer Board Member since our opening in Fall 2016, and his heart for people is very clearly what motivates him.
After a 40-year career in the City of Wichita’s Housing & Community Services department helping people, that passion to help has carried over. Jimmy is excited to assist Family Promise guests and graduates by making landlord and housing connections.
Jimmy’s expertise in his career helped put countless families in decent, safe, and sanitary housing. “It’s something that I know, something that I love to do,” he says.
Here are the updates on current projects.
Transitional Housing
Where do families live after they graduate our program? Our goal is to provide more affordable options for our graduates.
The Housing Team manages one transitional home that Family Promise graduates are currently living in. Another unit, Hope Home (owned by Hope Mennonite Church), is undergoing renovations and will be available to graduates of our program as well.
These living spaces are made possible by partnerships with landlords who are willing to give second chances to people who may have difficulties in their rental or credit history. The Housing Team also helps with management of the property and repairs as needed.
Moving Assistance
When a guest family meets their goals and finds housing, you may have noticed we make many requests – furniture, household items, pantry supplies. Families are starting brand new in a new home! We want to support that effort wherever we can.
The Housing Team has taken charge of making these moves happen. For example, this past weekend they assembled volunteers and trucks to pick up and deliver donated furniture for a family who is just getting started in their own home.
What a gift!
Children’s Playground
Thanks to a generous Emporia friend, we received a donated children’s playground all the way from Indiana last week! A crew of volunteers gathered at Hope Home to assemble it for children to enjoy.
Ways YOU Can Join
The Housing Team is accepting new volunteers. If you have skills in home repair and rehab, or general maintenance, please call us! Specific needs will be listed on our Facebook page as they arise.
If you have connections with landlords or you are a landlord who would be willing to partner with our program, please call us!
If you can bring strong arms and/or a truck or trailer for moving days, please call us! 316-977-7026.
Thanks to the hands and hearts already hard at work on this team, and to Jimmy for taking the lead. These are all important steps in the walk with families from homeless to hope and housed.
Family Promise of Greater Wichita unites hearts and hands to provide compassionate hospitality and empower homeless families with children to achieve sustainable independence. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
