By Katy Penner
Note: To protect the confidentiality of our graduates, names have been changed. Monica graciously sat down with me to tell her family’s story, with input also from Joe.
There is a passion and caring tone in her voice. His too, as he gives the occasional sermon at their church. She leads Bible studies. They are raising four kind and energetic small children. They are setting goals for the future, completing education, and saving up to own a home.
In the midst of managing all of that, in the past year they have been homeless twice. Many of you in our extended FPGW family of support have met Monica and Joe’s family – you played with their children, served meals to them, stayed overnight at Host Congregations, and offered love and welcome. They were our very first program family, and they are our first graduates. Their journey truly fits the definition of heroic.
When they called Family Promise of Greater Wichita, Joe had been without work for about four months. There were difficulties they could not avoid, and Monica says it felt like being stuck in a cycle. Looking back, she says they had never really had a steady foundation to begin with. In the midst of the turmoil of being without an income and while she was pregnant with their fourth child, they lost their housing. Monica says, “God opened doors that seemed to keep closing.” It was hard. They used other local family shelters when they could, but those time limits were exhausted or the family did not feel safe, and eventually they were out of options.
The family was referred to Family Promise by another shelter, so they called, completed the extensive application and interview/screening process, and moved in to the program all on the same day. She says, “It was amazing to see God work it out. I knew it would be okay this time from the beginning.”
That didn’t mean it was easy. The family at first had hesitations about the Rotation Program, since it involves switching Host Congregations every week. This did prove to be a challenge, especially with little ones who like to run and play and couldn’t always be kept quiet while other guest families slept next door.
Even though it was confusing and inconsistent at times to move around and be in constant change, the kids liked the program and enjoyed the toys and stuffed animals that Host Congregations provided. It was sometimes difficult for them to understand why a bed or a toy wasn’t their own.
The schedule is rigorous, requiring a pre-6am wakeup every day in order to make it back to the Day House and work on program goals. Some days felt overbearing and crazy. Once Joe gained employment and before Monica had her Drivers License, she was housebound with the children all day long – caring for their needs, bathing, doing laundry, and at the same time working on her own personal goals set in conjunction with Jackie, the Executive Director.
Whereas they felt alone in their goals prior to entering Family Promise, in the Rotation Program, Monica points out that she and Joe were held accountable to their case management goals and interacted with the Director on a daily basis. Some goals involved jobs (fill out 20-30 applications), some involved education (work towards GEDs for both parents), and some were financial (learn to plan ahead with money).
Getting their GEDs is the big one. At first, it didn’t seem attainable or useful, and Monica didn’t think she could do it. But with hard work and a volunteer tutor through Family Promise, she and Joe have been studying and recently passed the first of six sections! This goal is an ongoing process, and both are excited to keep working towards that.
On the plus side? Monica says two primary things stand out about Family Promise. “You can see results.” They were held to their goals, and walking together with Director Jackie, they have been able to get into a sustainable situation with both employment and housing.
Another highlight at Family Promise is the genuine and welcoming staff and volunteers. “You can tell a person that really loves people.”
Family Promise feels more home-like than other solutions they tried, and guests can easily have a conversation with staff and volunteers who clearly love what they do.
As the first guest family in the Rotation Program, Joe and Monica were honored to be a part of setting the tone and testing out the program. Staff, volunteers, and families have all learned together in the process.
The BEST part of Family Promise? Monica has a ready answer — “Being graduates.” And learning to use time wisely.
Through all the sacrifice and hours of hard work together as a family and with Jackie, Monica reports it was worth it. And they were ready to step into a new phase. “At the very end, we felt like we need to get out of here, it’s time to go. We didn’t want to leave too suddenly but also didn’t want to stay too long and take someone’s space.”
They did it all in under 100 days – 97, to be exact.
When asked what life is like since graduation, Joe sums it up in one important word: freedom.
The family is grateful for the support along the way and most excited about taking the reins of their own lives. They are renting a home now, and the children can run and play without disturbing others. Skeptical at first of having their own possessions, the kids now rightly say, “This is my bed. Don’t touch.” [Side note: every child should get to say that!]
Family Promise has launched Monica, Joe, and the children into this new phase of life well-prepared. One of their most immediate needs – transportation with enough seats for every family member – has been met by a donated minivan from a vehicle initiative program. But it’s not just a gift. In keeping with the mission to partner with families towards their goals, Family Promise will sign over ownership when Joe and Monica earn it via completion of their GEDs.
The family has also been the recipient of a savings match grant, which matches up to $1000 while a family is in the Rotation Program. An additional grant matches another $1000 in their first year of our Aftercare program.
Monica says the match has allowed them space not to worry about compromising on bills, to have a steady and firm foundation financially. It provides stability as an emergency fund, so an unexpected expense doesn’t have to be a crisis. There is room to save or take the family out to eat once in a while.
“We used to spend too easily on fast food, and now we are responsible and plan ahead,” she says.
Monica also says that she has learned new things about God in this past year. There are times when she wondered “Are you even there God? Did heaven twist its ear from me?” But she has felt God reassure her that he favors his children, that “I’m here. I’m listening. You’re safe and fed.” And they have counted on that.
Life is still hectic, as it tends to be, but these dear friends are back on their feet. They are still busy with church ministry activities, Joe is working full-time, and Monica is an advocate for Family Promise in the community and an encouraging voice to guest families currently in the program.
Both Joe and Monica continue to work together on their GEDs and meet with a volunteer tutor weekly, and they work to maintain the skills they have learned while in the Rotation Program. They are frequently at the Day House and involved in our Aftercare program, so this is not the end of their story with Family Promise.
Monica says, “Family Promise is like a crutch, helping people up.” And that is our goal, giving empowering assistance while people work towards health in all areas, so that they can again walk on their own.
Looking to the future, they are saving towards home ownership and dreaming about pastoring a church together. Based on their hard work and determination so far, these dreams could soon become a reality.
Those of us who have walked beside this family, in small or large roles, have witnessed a beautiful strength and a continual reliance on faith and God in the midst of struggle. They are looking beyond their own path to care for others and us, and to point us to Jesus.
Because we have entered into their lives, their story is now part of our story. And it is a gift.
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What’s your story?
Volunteers, we would love to hear your stories about walking with guest families and graduates! Send us an email at pr@familypromisewichita.org.
Join us!
If you are ready to #changethestory together with the families we serve, sign up at www.familypromisewichita.org/volunteer or email samuel@familypromisewichita.org.
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.
