Our History

Family Shelter

Since 1986, Family Promise, formerly the Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless (IRF), has helped thousands of homeless and hungry families and individuals in Bergen County. The initial program, the Overflow Shelter, housed homeless individuals at local congregations when the County Shelter was full. The following year, to meet the needs of homeless working families, the IRF opened a family shelter at St. Cecilia’s High School in Englewood and began the New Leaf program for families transitioning from the shelter to independent living. The IRF became Family Promise of Bergen County in 2010, and began sheltering homeless families through our network of congregations ever since. Family Promise of Bergen County is an affiliate of the national organization, Family Promise, which has over 200 affiliates across the country.

Walk-In Dinner Program

Since 1991, the Family Promise Walk-In Dinner Program has been providing dinner to approximately 150 people in our community, 365 days a year, no questions asked. Dedicated volunteers from our network of congregations, businesses, civic organizations and schools prepare and serve dinner at the Bergen County Housing Health and Human Services Center in Hackensack. Over the past 27 years, Family Promise volunteers have served over 1.1 million meals.