Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
To prevent and end homelessness for families with children and help them to achieve sustainable independence through a community based response.
Our Vision
To meet the unmet need for prevention and shelter for families with children in a housing crisis and offer stabilization services and permanent housing solutions.
Our Core Values
Sustained impact
We work tirelessly to ensure that the impact we have transforms our community, empowers our partners and team, and fosters independence for the families we serve long into the future.
Community-based
We maximize impact in our community we serve by leveraging existing resources, driving local and national partnerships, and collaborating with an extensive network of staff and volunteers to power a national movement committed to ending family homelessness.
Inclusive and equitable
We recognize that systems, communities, and organizations are stronger when they combine the skills, experiences, and efforts of a diverse group of individuals. We strive for diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all that we do to ensure all families have access to housing and opportunities to succeed.
Strategic innovation
We address the root causes of homelessness and seek to dissolve the issue, not just manage it. With input from families with lived experience, we bring innovative responses to our work that are adaptable and scalable so we can continue to meet the changing needs of families experiencing homelessness.
Authentic hospitality
We emphasize the "family" in Family Promise. We are more than shelter--we are a compassionate, caring and connected network of friends, volunteers, colleagues, and partners all dedicated to serving families in crisis.
Empathetic engagement
We commit to listening, learning, and supporting everyone we encounter. We embrace the uniqueness of every person and family and take time to fully understand and validate their perspectives and experiences to shape our work.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Access Policy Statement
There is an unfortunate and obvious connection between overt disenfranchisement, racist policies, and injustice and the fact that more than 50% of those experiencing homelessness are Black while making up only 13% of the total U.S. population. Homelessness is marked, defined, and caused by disparities rooted in exclusion and discrimination. Intentionally addressing these dynamics is essential to ending homelessness. Family Promise is committed to addressing these issues and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access (DEIA) as a priority. As part of this process, the following is our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Policy Statement.
Family Promise values and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe our strength lies in our diversity among the broad range of people who volunteer, work and are served by our Affiliates. We consider diversity, inclusion and access a driver of our effectiveness and seek out diversity of participation, thought and action. It is our aim, therefore, that our stakeholders reflect and embrace these core values.
Approaches for Our Work
To support the expansion of DEIA, Family Promise of the Lakes Region will:
· Integrate diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion into Family Promise practices, procedures, and programs. We will pursue inclusivity and cultural competency through substantive learning and transparent policies, and we will model best practices.
· Build awareness in the field by continuously drawing attention to the rationale, the opportunities, and causes of homelessness and poverty.
· Offer professional development opportunities and resources to Affiliate leadership to ensure the best practices are implemented at an Affiliate level.
· Support individuals with lived experience to have meaningful and powerful opportunities to support Affiliates.