National History
THE BEGINNING
Karen Olson was rushing to a business meeting when she passed a homeless woman on the street. On impulse, Karen bought her a sandwich.The woman, Millie, accepted the sandwich but asked for something more — a chance to be heard. Karen stayed with Millie and listened. What she heard made her understand that homelessness brought profound feelings of diminished self-worth and disconnection from society. Soon after, Karen and her two sons began delivering lunches to homeless people on the streets of New York.
1986: THE FIRST NETWORK
When Karen learned that homelessness was affecting families right in her own community in New Jersey, she knew she had to do something. But this was much more than giving sandwiches. She brought together people in need and people who wanted to help. Existing community resources could provide shelter, meals, and housing. Volunteers could use their skills, knowledge, and compassion to help their homeless neighbors find employment, reconnect with society, and restore their dignity.
She approached the religious community. Congregations offered hospitality space within their buildings. The YMCA provided showers and a family Day Center. A car dealer discounted a van. The first interfaith hospitality network opened on October 27, 1986.
1988: THE NETWORK GOES NATIONAL
As word spread, more New Jersey congregations formed a second network. Other congregations were inspired to develop similar programs. In 1988, we formed the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to bring the program nationwide. In addition to shelter, meals, housing, and job-seeking support, our Affiliates began developing programs for transitional housing, childcare, and homelessness prevention. Nationally, we added programs like Just Neighbors and Family Mentoring.
1992: POINT OF LIGHT
Family Promise was awarded one of 21 Points of Light, out of a field of more
than 4,500 nominees, by President and Barbara Bush, signifying Family
Promise as one of the top volunteer agencies in the country. The award
recognizes how one neighbor can help another, and calls upon the nation
to take action in service to our fellow citizens.
2003: WE BECOME FAMILY PROMISE
We changed our name, from the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to Family Promise, to reflect our broad range of programs and our vision of ending family homelessness. The name refers to the promise, in the sense of commitment, which communities make to families in need. But it also refers to the promise, the potential, inherent in every family.
2004: 100TH AFFILIATE
Family Promise’s 100th Affiliate opened in Athens, GA, as rapid expansion continues. Family Promise Affiliates, whether in metropolitan hubs, sprawling suburbs, college towns, or rural counties dotted with cornfield and forests, reflect their local communities, providing innovative solutions tailored to specific needs.
2013: 4-STAR CHARITY NAVIGATOR RATING
Family Promise received the first in its current run of seven consecutive 4-star ratings, demonstrating its commitment to effective governance, careful use of resources, and transparency. Despite a staff of two dozen nationally, and a relatively small budget, Family Promise is able to parlay those assets and the commitment of its volunteers into the leading national response to family homelessness.
We also took time in 2013 to celebrate 25 years of changing lives and creating community.
Family Promise 25th Anniversary Retrospective - "Sharing Our Dream, Keeping Our Promise"
2016: 200TH AFFILIATE
Family Promise of Shenandoah County, VA, (FPSC) opened its doors as the 200th Affiliate. Nestled in the mountains of northwest Virginia with several small farming towns, FPSC demonstrated that homelessness is a national issue but a highly local problem. This milestone marked a highly regionalized approach taken by the national organization, ensuring the dissemination of best practices and the continued evolution of the model.
Also in 2016, Founder and President Karen Olson announced her retirement and Claas Ehlers, Director of Affiliate Services, was named as only the organization’s second leader. “I have truly been privileged to spend the past three decades working with so many dedicated, talented and compassionate people to help families across the country realize their true potential and fulfill their promise,” said Olson. “I am thrilled to be turning over the presidency of our organization to Claas Ehlers. He has been with Family Promise for 14 years and his knowledge, commitment and strategic vision make him the ideal choice to lead us into the future.”
2017: C-LEVEL LEADERSHIP
Family Promise President Claas Ehlers was named Chief Executive Officer as a reflection of the growth and national scope of the organization. Family Promise Board Chair Angela Schroeder spoke to the change: “Claas’s hard work and dedication has been absolutely transformative, as Family Promise has grown rapidly under his stewardship as a national brand, adding corporate and nonprofit partnerships and creating impactful initiatives that place us at the forefront of the fight against family homelessness nationwide.”
2018: CONTINUING TO GROW NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE AND A BRAND REFRESH
The national conference in 2018 exemplified both Family Promise’s
national significance and its responsive governance model. HUD
Secretary Ben Carson engaged with representatives from the Guest
Advisory Council (GAC) in a challenging and dynamic exchange on the
definition of homelessness and HUD’s response to the issue. The GAC,
formed in 2016, is an advisory body made of graduates from Affiliate
programs and guides the actions of Family Promise’s national leadership.
We also introduced a cleaner, more modern logo, in line with a two-year brand refresh.
We recognize the star as the logo’s the most important element and a visual touchstone to our organization’s history. The five points of the star represent the five key elements of Family Promise: shelter, prevention, stabilization, community and promise.
2019: A BOLD STEP INTO THE FUTURE
With the issue of family homelessness remaining at crisis levels, Family Promise engaged in a strategic plan to change the future for 1,000,000 children by 2030.
The next three years will be marked by growth: more resources and partnerships and a focus on expanding the capability and capacity of Affiliates. The number of Affiliates serving more than 500 people a year has more than quadrupled over the past decade and the national network is serving more than 125,000 people a year and engaging 200,000 volunteers nationwide.
Family Promise has truly grown to represent a national movement that believes we can address family homelessness—right here in our own communities.