Family Promise of Bergen County Programs

New Leaf Transitional Housing Program
 
Family Promise of Bergen County manages and monitors seven apartments in its transitional housing program known as New Leaf. Client families who have consistently followed the guidelines while participating in the Family Promise Program are given the opportunity to live in Family Promise subsidized apartment. Participants typically remain in the program twelve to eighteen months as they make the transition from homelessness to independent living. Families work with a Family Case Manager in areas of financial planning, job training, educational options, employment, childcare, and a mandatory savings plan. Counseling and other support services are available, encouraging individuals to take the measures necessary to reach the goal of permanent housing.
 
Break the Cycle Scholarship Fund
 
Financial assistance is provided to individuals who are pursuing advanced education or vocational training and exhibit a personal commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty. Adults and high school seniors who are currently in the Family Promise or the New Leaf Transitional Housing Programs are eligible, as are former residents of the programs. The scholarship can be applied toward tuition, books and supplies, computer training, licensing courses or other type of skills training that will enhance or increase career opportunities.
 
Walk-In Dinner Program

Begun as a pilot effort in 1991, this program schedules a congregation or organization every day of the year to provide, prepare and serve dinner to approximately 150 people at the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Service Center in Hackensack. Approximately 80 of those utilizing the program are current residents of shelter portion of the center. The others come from neighboring communities. Although many of the guests have a place to live, their limited incomes don’t stretch to cover dinner every night. Some are “street people” who may decide after a few good meals in a friendly atmosphere to trust the “system” enough to look into additional services provided at the same location. Special meals are served on many holidays.
 
Camp Lots of Fun
 
Camp Lots of Fun provides a fun-filled, educational 2-week, end of summer day camp experience for 30 children currently or formerly in any of the organization’s sheltering programs. If space permits, children from other agencies’ sheltering programs are accommodated. Members of the Youth Council and other high school students are eligible to apply for positions as Volunteer Counselors. The Camp Lots of Fun Volunteer Application is attached at the bottom of this page. 
 
Weekend Morning Program
 
This volunteer program allows the participants in the Family Promise Program to stay at the Day Center on Saturday, Sunday and holiday mornings. Families have a leisurely morning, enjoying a more substantial breakfast than is available during the week. Parents may attend volunteer-run training sessions as well as catch up on laundry, paperwork and reading. Volunteers engage in arts and crafts, reading and recreational activities with the children.
 
Family Mentoring Program
 
This program matches families with a trusted and nurturing mentor. They work together to develop life-management skills while prioritizing and achieving personal and career goals. Mentors commit to working with a family by having weekly contact for a minimum of six months. Mentors encourage families to pursue additional job training, set realistic goals, identify issues that might be blocking the attainment of these goals and develop positive self-esteem and coping skills. Successful mentors purposefully “coach” participants as they work towards self-sufficiency.
 
Infant and Child Daycare
 
This program provides financial support for much-needed daycare. It enables parents to maintain full-time employment, adding stability and dignity to their lives. Families participating in our shelter programs that have young children are eligible.
 
After School Program
 
The After School Program offers a safe, secure environment to children in the Family Promise Program or transitional housing from the time school lets out until the van leaves for the Host Congregation. Volunteer teachers and students provide homework help and enrichment opportunities weekdays from 3:30 until 5:30 PM. The attention and consistency they provide helps build the homeless child’s confidence and self esteem while providing him with the tools and materials needed to succeed in school. Note: Many of our children attend after school programs. This program operates on an “as needed” basis.
 
Advocacy
 
Advocacy bolsters every direct service that Family Promise provides. In addition to giving shelter and food, Family Promise relies on its members to encourage their government representatives to “alleviate the plight of needy people” by creating and amending laws that will improve the conditions under which they live. The Legislative Network will send “action alerts” about pending legislation affecting the homeless to its membership, promoting the idea that every volunteer is a potential connection to his/her legislator.