It’s not enough to just talk about working with families towards housing. Every person is a whole human, and every family has a wide variety of needs, so we need to provide support for the whole person and entire family. A holistic approach and whole-person help is vital.
We just introduced our brand NEW Mission Statement, and we’re excited to explain each part of it.
The mission of Family Promise of Greater Wichita is to empower families with children to overcome homelessness and housing insecurity through a holistic approach, community involvement, and sustainable solutions.
By now, you have heard that homelessness does not define a person. Being without a home or housing insecure is a current circumstance — in one hundred percent of cases, there are more factors causing that circumstance. As we walk through life with families, we look for the root causes.
Through both data and experience, we have learned that a family facing homelessness has multiple needs, so we look together with families at the big picture.
This includes reviewing all the aspects of a family’s health and wellness: physical, mental, emotional, social (building a community/network), and spiritual.
Because FPGW’s caring and expert staff takes intensive time with each family, we can work together with each family/parent to set their own goals for each of those areas of wellness.
This is also why we have updated our definition of who we help – instead of the previous wording, “homeless families with children,” now FPGW’s mission says, “We empower families with children to overcome homelessness and housing insecurity.”
FPGW’s mission has always been focused on children. Research shows that children who experience homelessness:
- have higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems;
- have increased risk of serious health problems;
- are more likely to experience separations from their families; and
- experience more school mobility, repeat a grade, be expelled or drop out of school, and have lower academic performance.
(Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness.)
Looking at the big picture, it becomes crystal clear that if families can get support and help BEFORE they lose their housing, it’s much more likely that they can keep life stable for their children and work towards success in all areas.
Every child deserves a home. Looking at the big picture and the whole person is the best way to make sure that every child has one.
What is your part? We have a spot for everyone to join the mission of Family Promise. Send us a note if you want to join in!
Katy Penner is a volunteer on our Communications Team. She is also a Social Entrepreneur and Content Strategist. You can reach her at katy@createalegria.com.
