August 2024 Newsletter

Join Us at this Special Occasion

Congratulations to Our Family Promise Graduate

Congratulations to Prince (right), one of our recent graduates. As a member of Manna on Main Street's Common Grounds Training Program Cohort 39, he successfully completed a nine-week, free foodservice training program designed for adults facing employment barriers.

We are immensely proud of his perseverance and dedication, and all that he has accomplished. Prince shared with Elizabeth, our Program Manager (left), “When I first came here, I felt like it was too late for me…but now this is me at 39. I’m finally doing something with my life.” Excitingly, he will continue his journey as a Common Grounds Café Intern.

Get Ready to Go Back to School

We are deeply grateful to Main Line Unitarian for their generous donation of backpacks and school supplies. Their support ensures that the children in our housing programs are well-prepared for the new school year.

Chari Richardson, our Network Planning Coordinator, joined members of the congregation to help assemble the backpacks. Children in our emergency shelter program were asked if they had any special backpack design requests, and Main Line Unitarian thoughtfully provided them. Dawn Star Sarahs-Borchelt, the Director of Lifespan Faith Development, manages the annual backpack drive, which has been a commitment of the MLUC for four years.

"It was heartwarming to see children from the congregation stuffing the backpacks with school supplies," Chari reflected. The children followed a list to ensure the supplies were age-appropriate and matched the size of the backpacks. They demonstrated their commitment by meticulously organizing and neatly arranging the school supplies into each backpack. We deeply appreciate their kindness and support in helping the children succeed in their educational journey. Thank you!

Families Feel at Home at St. David's

Pictured above from left to right: Terri Pendergast, John Fredrick, and Gail Frederick, St. David's volunteers, and Joanne Frey, St. David's volunteer coordinator.

St. David’s Episcopal Church has been a dedicated supporter and hosting congregation for many years. Recently, they welcomed emergency shelter families, with their volunteers thoughtfully preparing the beds and rooms to make them feel at home.

When St. David’s hosts, they provide grab-and-go breakfast items and pack lunches for the families. They ensure there is a birthday cake if someone has a birthday during their stay and offer jackets for the children as the seasons change. In October, they also provide tickets to the St. David’s Country Fair, allowing our families to enjoy food, games, and unlimited rides for young children. Their care and consideration for our families’ needs are truly remarkable.

Access to Food at Our Cupboard

Family Promise of the Main Line maintains a small cupboard in the office stocked with non-perishable foods for families in emergency shelter and program graduates. Thanks to the generosity of donors and support from local charities like Abundant Heights Ministries we recently added 64 lbs. of food to our cupboard.

Families entering the emergency shelter program may be in need of food before they are brought to the host congregation, where they receive a hearty meal each night. Having food readily available in the office allows us to provide easy-to-make meals, snacks, and beverages to these families until they can access a grocery store.

Program graduates, who often remain vulnerable and require various support services, also benefit from this food supply. It helps bridge the gap until they receive their next paycheck or food stamps. For instance, one family lacked enough food to prepare meals but provided a list of their available groceries. The Family Promise Program Manager was able to use these items to complete their meal, demonstrating the effectiveness of this resource in meeting immediate needs.



Additionally, families benefit from the nightly meals prepared by our host congregations. Leftover food often serves as lunch the following day for sheltered families who move to the day center in the morning, as well as for graduates in need of a meal.

The official registration and financial information of Family Promise of the Main Line may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free with Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Family Promise of the Main Line is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – contributions to which are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.