Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Family Promise is the nation’s leading organization fighting family homelessness.
Family Promise of Davie County is one of nearly 200 affiliates in 43 states.
Every year in America, more than 3 million children experience homelessness. These children are 8-9 times more likely to repeat a grade, three times more likely to be placed in special education programs, seven times more likely to attempt suicide; 42% will drop out of school at some point; and 47% suffer from anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
During the 2023-2024 school year, Davie County Schools identified 124 students as homeless.
Experiencing homelessness can happen more easily than most think.
Many Americans are one missed paycheck, one unexpected bill, or one medical emergency away from being in crisis. A total of 49% of Americans lack the ability to cover a $400 emergency expense; and 30% of the homeless population is made up of families.
In no state, even those where the minimum wage has been set above the federal standard of $7.25, can a minimum-wage renter working a 40-hour work week afford a 2-bedroom rental at the average fair market rate.
In Davie County, a renter needs to earn $21.35 per hour ($44,400 annually) to afford the average fair market rent for a 2-bedroom unit.
Twenty-two percent of Davie households are cost-burdened by housing, and of those cost-burdened renters, 15.86% have faced an eviction.
Family Promise is a community-based response to families experiencing homelessness.
For the past seven years, Family Promise of Davie County has worked to help families attain sustainable independence through the provision of shelter, financial assistance, and case management.
“Families come to us in crisis; we help them rebuild their lives with new skills and ongoing support,” said Lisa Reynolds, executive director of Family Promise of Davie. “We provide prevention services before families reach crisis, shelter and case management if they become homeless, and stabilization programs once they have secured housing to ensure they remain independent.”
Programs offered include:
• Homelessness Prevention & Shelter Diversion: Emergency financial assistance paired with supportive services allows families to maintain their housing and stay out of the shelter system.
• Family Shelter: There is space for two families at a time in this 90-day program. Families have a private room for sleeping and a shared kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, and living space. Families receive assistance finding housing, job skills training, educational courses, and referrals to local resources.
• Transitional Housing: There are two two-bedroom, 1.5-bath homes that can temporarily house two families. This is a second step for families in the shelter program and is meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support, life skills, education, and training.
• Stabilization Support: Family Promise provides ongoing support and case management for at least one year after a family graduates, helping the families succeed and remain stable in housing, financial capability, and career paths.
Since opening its doors in 2017, Family Promise of Davie County has served more than 600 families, which is more than 900 local children. A total of 94% of families served in the programs are still housed one year after receiving services.
“Rural and family homelessness is often an invisible crisis. There is a huge need to provide shelter and resources for families experiencing housing insecurity in our community, and we cannot do it alone,” Reynolds said. “Shelter is one of our basic human needs, and addressing the issue of family homelessness takes an entire community. We invite you to be part of the solution.
“Spreading awareness is something everyone can do – young or old. It doesn’t cost you anything and really makes a difference,” said Reynolds.
“We also invite you to attend our annual fundraiser, “A Promise of Christmas,” on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 6-9 p.m. at The Farm at Oak Hill. The evening will consist of a catered dinner from Honky Tonk Smokehouse, a beer/wine bar, a tacky Christmas sweater contest, and an auction.”
All funds support work to address the issue of family homelessness. Tickets are available at www.familypromisedc.org/christmas.
Family Promise is also seeking auction items and sponsors for this event. Contact Reynolds at lisa@familypromisedc.org for more information.
To learn more about Family Promise of Davie, to volunteer, or to donate, visit www.familypromisedc.org. You can also follow Family Promise on Facebook.