We are thrilled to announce that Family Promise of Greater Wichita has a day center…or more appropriately named, a day house! Through a very generous partnership with Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, our program guests will have a homey space to work toward regaining their own housing and independence. At the day house, guests will work with a case manager, take classes, use the phone and computers to search for jobs and housing, do laundry, shower, and care for preschool-age children. The day house will also be the place where school-age children will get on and off of the school bus. There will be no sign in front of the house, which will help to keep these vulnerable children from being labeled as “homeless.”
The day house, owned by Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, is tucked in a cozy neighborhood, close to a city park and playground, bus stops, and a group of caring neighbors. Guest families will be spending their nights in a rotation of host churches, who provide meals and compassionate volunteer support to these families in crisis, but the day house will serve as a great source of structure and routine for the children and families in the program.
A number of skilled and licensed people have helped to assess some minor renovations needed to prepare the day house for our target October 1 opening. As we begin to make these improvements, we are in need of donations of materials and volunteers to help. Our current needs include a bathtub/shower combo, lumber for several small storage lockers for our guest families, a gas/tankless water heater, and a washer and dryer. If you would like to help with these needs please contact our Day Center Team Leader, Charlie Mullen at 316-640-6369 or daycenter@familypromisewichita.org or make a donation online at www.familypromisewichita.org/donate.
