We can’t deny that the world has changed this year, and Covid-19 has caused pain for us all. We have been upended and life is not going the way any of us planned.

It is so understandable if you are tired. Change, tragedy, and trauma wear us out. The situation is even more unstable for local families who were already in crisis or have recently lost jobs. This means it’s time to press in to the need and rally together for local families.

Don’t Check Out

Sometimes the easiest option, in the midst of chaos, is to check out. Sit on the couch and watch Netflix. Dig in deeper with family and neighbors. These are all wonderful things.

But please don’t stay there. Please press back in. You have the opportunity to share compassion and care right in our own community.

Here is why. The need is only growing.

We are receiving calls every day with shelter requests. Local area shelters are full.

Some families who had regained stability pre-Covid have lost jobs or been evicted.

Others who were unstable pre-Covid are in worse circumstances.

As we have said since we opened our doors in 2016, children and families without homes is not okay.

Re-Opening the Rotation Program

Thanks to some very generous friends and grant funding, we were able to provide shelter-in-place locations for our program families during the stay-home order. These families have either achieved their goals and moved into housing (hooray!) or are very close to doing so.

This shelter-in-place plan is not a long-term solution, since our program is based on the generosity of faith congregations sharing their spaces.

As we prepare to re-open and re-train volunteers with social distancing guidelines and new hygiene practices, your part matters. This community-based program works its magic when the whole community participates!

What a great time to be sharing space and resources with families. We have a few asks and opportunities as part of this:

• You can help by following our new guidelines closely, for the safety of volunteers, guests, and staff. Coordinators will be sharing these guidelines directly with their volunteers.
• You can also help with your resolve to be part of the team and follow through when you sign up for volunteering. If you are wearing masks and distancing at Dillons and Walmart, you will find it even easier to distance from a guest family in your church building.*
• *Unless you are sick – then be part of a team from your home with thoughts and prayers. 🙂
  

Compassion

Most of all, we have the opportunity, again, to demonstrate compassion as we re-open. We started this program as a Wichita team because compassion compels us to act.

A family crisis that creates homelessness cannot always be predicted and is often uncontrollable (job loss, health issue, etc.). People come to us because they are out of options.

NONE. No. Options. Can you imagine?

And then, can you imagine a huge welcoming extended family, full of chefs and friendly faces and willing to share their spaces, figuratively embracing you and giving you a stable place to stay?

That is who we are to guest families. That is the embrace we will always offer (even when we can’t physically offer hugs).

Thank you! For supporting families throughout this time with donations, supplies, and prayers, and for your willingness to host them again in your facilities. This is the time to rally together for and with local families.

Katy Penner is our Board Secretary and Communications Team chair. She is also a Marketing and Content Strategist. You can reach her at pr@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.