After years of planning, a new program is getting underway here in Laurens County to help people experiencing homelessness. Family Promise of Laurens County is starting in February. The program’s Director, Naomi Broadway, addressed Laurens Rotarians yesterday and said that the program is set to start Sunday, February 16th. She said the program is for families with minor children. Up to four families with up to fourteen people will be accepted at any given time. The families will rotate living a week at a time at 12 host churches. Other churches are also involved, supporting the host churches.
Ms. Broadway is the only employee. Her job includes helping the families with decisions from matters like seeking employment to applying for other assistance.
She said many volunteers are being trained to fill a wide range of jobs. These include providing meals and other forms of assistance for families, driving the program’s van to transport guests from the churches to the Family Promise Day Center on Church Street and volunteering to man a day center on Church Street.
A member of the 2014 Leadership Laurens County Class that promoted establishment of Family Promise, Kimberly Kitchens, told Rotarians that a Grand Opening and Ribbon cutting for the program is set for Tuesday, February 11th. The Day Center on Church Street, beside 1st Baptist, will be open to the public that day from 8 to 5. At 12:30 that afternoon, a Ribbon Cutting will be conducted at the center with the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Kitchens also said that Belk stores are a big supporter of Family Promise, especially helping new chapters get started. Belk has pledged up to $5,000 for Family Promise of Laurens County, provided the money is matched by other gifts from the local community.
For more information email Family Promise of Laurens County:
