Family Promise Takes Flight
Contributed by Ginger Bear
What a journey for our guest family! Mom, Dad, three boys and their dog entered our transitional housing program with little hope of securing housing. Dad works on The Slope but did not feel good leaving his family in a homeless situation while he went to work. Mom is legally blind. And the boys are energetic!
Dad found a temporary job close to our housing and began saving some money for his family. With support from grants provided to Family Promise Mat-Su the family moved into housing a few miles away. Staff celebrated their success as the family began their new journey.
About a month later, the mom calls Family Promise Mat-Su, letting us know that their housing situation changed and that they are living in a tent across town. With our transitional housing full, and cold weather approaching, we began working with community members to find a new place for this family.
Meanwhile, a new board member interest came across my desk. Jeff Schultz casually mentioned his willingness to offer a flight to any guest who desired a return flight to their native village…free of charge! I told him about this family who had graduated but was currently interested in returning to their home village, thousands of miles away and accessible by plane only. Jeff immediately began working on the details for the flight, called a buddy with a larger plane, and off they went!
About a week later the mom calls thanking Family Promise Mat-Su for getting her home safely. The boys are in their school, they are in their own home, and Dad is on his way to The Slope. All is well! Family Promise Mat-Su has served over 23 families this year with rental assistance, utility assistance, and transitional housing. Volunteers throughout our community provide meals and compassionate care to each family member as they struggle to regain footing in their search for stability. Your monetary donations help staff provide gas cards, car insurance, coordinate car maintenance, pay for photo identifications and birth certificates, as well as purchasing items for the transitional housing facility.
Thank you for your continued support!
Ginger Bear, Executive Director