Help End Family Homelessness

We went to the North Brevard Sharing Center and they told us about Family Promise of Brevard. l've never wanted a hand-out, and I had so many negative images of what homeless looked like, but at Family Promise of Brevard we were never called or treated as homeless. Instead, we were treated like family. In our time there we stayed at host churches during the night and the host churches provided all of our meals! Family Promise coordinated everything. We had nice, warm, safe, and loving places to stay. Our meals were prepared and served by folks who simply loved us. People who we'd never met loved us, wrapped their arms around us, provided for us, and helped us get back on our feet.

For the Hill family, their first night in the Family Promise of Brevard program is one they will never forget. David vividly remembers the sense of relief that washed over him from knowing his family was safe and all together. Through the Family Promise Program, his family was able to stay together as they rebuilt their future. After only a month, the Hill family was able to move out on their own. But the promise made to families within the program doesn’t stop there. David continued to meet with counselors on a monthly basis for guidance and financial coaching. Though he joined the program to keep his own family together, David says he gained a second family in the Family Promise staff as well.

Michelle and her children, ages 2-13, were left with 33 cents and spent the first few nights in her shop, motels, and with friends. Once she found Family Promise of Brevard her priority was to find new housing. Within days the family and their beloved dog were in their new home, a pet-friendly rental home in a safe neighborhood. Michelle’s life went from being upended to subsequently righted so quickly it still amazes her. “Most support services require so much before they’ll meet you – advance appointments, time-consuming paperwork. In an emergency, you don’t have the luxury of time,” Michelle says. “All of a sudden I had nothing, but Family Promise helped me right away.”

A few years ago, Rebecca’s mother was in the ICU. When she was released, it was on a condition that someone would always be home with her. Rebecca and her family moved in with her mother and stayed with her for about four months. When it was time for the family to get a place of their own, their former landlord did not give a good reference (even after explaining the difficult situation).  

Stephen and his three boys, 12, 15 and 18, found themselves homeless after Hurricane Irma. Within two weeks of entering our emergency shelter program, Stephen found permanent, sustainable income. Just two weeks after that, he found an apartment on Merritt Island, and with the help of VOA's SSVF program and furniture from Viera Builders, his family is HOME!

My name is Jovet and I am a mother of two beautiful girls. I learned the hard way that life, in general is not easy, let alone being a mother. In 2016, life was especially not friendly. I ended up being homeless that year. I had a full time job and a vehicle, yet I couldn’t afford a place on my own with my girls. Plus, at that time (and now) my ex-husband was keeping my elder daughter from me.

"My daughter Mariah and I would like to Thank You very much for all your help! Being a single father can be a challenging but rewarding job. I manage the best I can but changing jobs right when school was about to start, getting behind on rent and electric while also having to go school clothes and supply shopping became overwhelming. Asking for help is a very hard thing to do, but with some communication you made thinks a lot better. People fall on hard times and its awesome to know that there are people who not only care, but can and will help. Thank AGAIN!"