Who We Are

In 2014 The Grant County Taskforce on Homelessness, a group of representatives from agency partnerships and community members identified a growing concern in Grant County - an increase of families with children experiencing homelessness.  With no local shelters and lacking resources to address this concern the taskforce began to identify and research potential options to address this concern.  A "Call to Action" event was planned after researching a National Interfaith Hospitality Network; now known as Family Promise. Family Promise is the nation's leading organization working to prevent and end family homelessness.  A holistic approach to helping families achieve stability.

 The Call-to-Action Event consisted of inviting 70+ churches across Grant County, agency representatives, and community members.  A panel discuss comprised of representatives from our local Southwest Community Action Program (SWCAP) and UW Extension Grant County providing local data, representatives of Grant County's largest school district (Platteville), and the director and board chair of Family Promise of Green Co. a newly formed Wisconsin affiliate of Family Promise.

 After sharing the why we were there, county data around homelessness in Rural Grant County, Wisconsin; what homelessness looks in like in rural areas, the effects of homelessness on children, and barriers addressing the needs and lack of service options the idea of forming a Family Promise Grant County affiliate was put forth.  Eighty plus individuals attended that evening and as a call to action a vote was put forward to start the process moving forward in efforts to bring Family Promise to Grant County. It was unanimous!

That goal was achieved, and January 2016 Family Promise of Grant County opened its doors after developing the first board of directors, filing for 501 (c) 3 status, gaining support of 10 host churches and 7 additional support churches, securing a day center location at St. Clements in Lancaster, raising funds, and hiring its first Executive Director.  Two years of hard work by committed determined individuals who understood that family homelessness and poverty are complex issues that require comprehensive, innovative solutions.  This holistic approach to the crisis of family homelessness includes three key areas of focus: prevention, shelter, and stabilization.