September 20th              2022 Vol. 3                         

October Fundraiser Update!

Unfortunately, our in-person fundraiser has been moved to the spring. However, that doesn't mean we won't have one in the fall!

Keep an eye out for our October Online Fundraiser instead!

The easiest way to do so is via our social media below:

Over A Third of Working Families Can't Afford Basic Needs

One would think that if you had a job, you would be able to provide for yourself. Unfortunately, for over a third of working families, that is not the case.

With this many families inching toward homelessness, it is obvious that a change needs to be made. However, to make a change, one must become more aware of the problem. Thus, we ask you to please read the rest of the article via the button below:

Don't sit back because it is easy, educate yourself because it is right. In the meantime, we here at Family Promise of Hudson County (FPHC) will continue to help those who need our assistance, hopefully, with your support.

Jersey City:

The Most Expensive Place to Rent in the U.S.

Hudson County is the home of all of our families and us personnel here at FPHC. Thus, it is an area we regard with love in our hearts. However, that does not mean there are no struggles here.

According to CBS New York and The New York Times, Jersey City is the most expensive city in which to rent in the U.S. (2022). The average rent is $5,500 as of July.

This problem is incredibly concerning because if nothing is done about it, then many will eventually fall onto difficult times. The negative effects of this rent price are less 'if they will happen' and are more like 'when they will happen.'

Thus, we need to start acting today to make the difference an entire city needs. It may seem impossible or be overwhelming, but together we can make a difference! Please read/watch the articles via the buttons below:

We here at FPHC look forward to making the world, or in this case a city, a better place with you by our side!

Our Programs!

Shelter Diversion

We are excited to say that we have a new program to add to our current impressive roster! Our new Shelter Diversion Program is a one time infusion given to those in need. While this may not seem like much to some, something as simple as $1,000 can keep a family from being evicted. This program is for those who just need a little bit of assistance to get back on their feet.

Homelessness Prevention

Our Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) is a program that provides future rental assistance (as needed) along with long-term case management to the families of Hudson County. This program not only encompasses rental assistance, but also provides families with referrals to other programs that will benefit them for long term success. This program is for those who need more assistance than our Shelter Diversion families.

Shelter

With our Shelter Program, we relocate homeless families into static locations. A static location is a fixed site where a family can stay and volunteers provide hospitality from a distance.These locations enable our families to have the stability needed to get themselves back on their feet. This program is for those who, unfortunately, did not know of the programs above until they had already lost their homes.

Alumni

The families who get back on their feet via any of the other programs are then considered Family Promise of Hudson County Alumni! Despite them being alumni, we continue to assist them in any way they need that we can provide!

Family Spotlights

Welcome to FPHC's Family Spotlight! We wanted to share the stories of some families we are currently assisting since they are the entire reason we do what we do. We hope you are as pleased as we are with how far they've come since joining our programs!

First Family Spotlight

Our first family spotlight goes to a single go-getter mother of two. She currently lives in Jersey City and works in New York. This mother is determined to give her family the best opportunity to thrive and become productive independent young adults in a society plagued with the ever-increasing cost of living. FPHC is helping make her dreams a reality!

After being stricken with Covid-19 twice, this mother lost wages, sending her finances into a downward spiral. This resulted in her becoming extremely past due in rent and other bills. Since becoming a participant in HPP, FPHC has helped her regain control of her rental arrearage and utility bills and provides an allowance for groceries. This mother has established a savings account, which she shared she'd never had since all her income went towards the monthly household expenses.

Just this past June, she celebrated her son's graduation from high school, now enrolled and attending Hudson County Community College, while her daughter starts her sophomore year at New Jersey City University. Working together with this mother as she continues making strides toward her goals, seeing her grow from nearly homeless to having a financial contingency plan (that includes a growing savings account, financial literacy program, and paying off credit card debt), placing her closer on track with her dreams for the future, and less sleepless nights are the fruits of her hard work and our commitment to serve.

Second Family Spotlight

Settling is not an option for our second family spotlight! The primary parent of one child, this mother refuses to accept the status quo. She is currently employed part-time as an administrative clerk for a dialysis center.

This mother came to HPP after losing her previous employment while attending to the emotional and mental health crisis affecting her son. While waiting for approval from unemployment and searching for a new job, her debt grew significantly, depleting what little savings she had.

Still optimistic and intent on stopping at nothing, FPHC has given her a sigh of relief and tools that support her in being able to start saving again, find adequate therapy through her insurance for her son, and assisted in getting her registered for her Real Estate License. FPHC also dispenses transportation reimbursement that allowed this mother to get to an interview with the Hudson County Social Services Division, where she has an opportunity to be gainfully employed full-time. She said she "can't stop and won't stop," which is a motto FPHC has adopted as well!

Back to School Drive

Every year, towards mid-summer, Family Promise of Hudson County reaches out to the current and Alumni families to assist with their back-to-school needs. This year was no different!

One of our new personnel, Alessandra Blount, was set in charge of this drive and did an amazing job! It was wonderful to see just how happy our families were with the results of the drive.

Now, one might think the word 'happy' is a bit of an exaggeration when it comes to school supplies and usually that would be somewhat correct. However, our school drive is different compared to others!

We pride ourselves on our school drive because it is not the standard drop-off drive by allowing the child to pick out their school supplies and book bag. We believe the children should have the pride of picking out their stuff rather than being handed random donations. We feel our program allows the child to have input on their school supplies and this helps the child to develop their sense of character and style. We use both budgeted funding and newly collected funds to assist our families in precisely what their children need for a great school year.

We have also learned that this makes the back-to-school time much less stressful for parents since they send us their Walmart or Amazon lists as well as we order the school uniforms and shoes directly from the official school uniform company. This process allows for us to have the items delivered directly to the family's homes rather than have them make several trips to our location for pick up of the items.

Therefore, we are incredibly happy that everything went splendidly and want to extend our thanks! This drive could not have gone as well as it did without the hard work of Alessandra and the generous donation by Blue Foundry. Thus, thank you both for all you have done to make this drive a success!

In the News

8 Organizations to Volunteer This Month

By Alexandria Perez

November 12, 2021

lynnhazan.com

All donations are tax deductible (EIN: 81-0773421).