Can you imagine becoming a homeless parent? This is happening to too many neighbors right her in South Sarasota County. Many of us experienced the stress these families go through every day when Hurricane Ian disrupted all of our lives and removed things like power, water, internet, and, for some of us, housing. 2022 has been devastating for so many. We must have the resources to answer this urgent need, now and into the new year.
I’m writing today to ask for your compassionate help: Will you make a special year-end gift to give a homeless family hope and shelter of their own? COVID-19, an economic downturn, a hurricane, and a housing crisis have made times harder for everyone. For those who were already struggling, it now means real danger.
Michelle and her children are feeling the pain. Michelle and her husband have always been hard working individuals who have been able to pay for their expenses. They moved to Florida and bought their first family home in 2021, each have cars and steady careers, and have not required any outside financial assistance as they have built their family together. After Hurricane Ian, their home sustained significant damage resulting in it becoming uninhabitable. They spent 6 straight days at their residence working 16 hours per day to clean up what they could, salvage their belongings, and move what they had left into storage. There was no housing available that they could afford while they wait for their home to be repaired and a temporary residence provided by Family Promise of South Sarasota County was their last option rather than becoming homeless with their children.
Hundreds of neighbors like Michelle and their children are hurting, right here in our community. More than ever before. And there’s no end in sight to this crisis.
But you can help: Your gift to Family Promise of South Sarasota County provides desperately needed affordable housing, and a fighting chance to rebuild a new life.
Only your generosity can fill the gap between the need and our resources to meet it.
When you give to Family Promise, you’re a part of a special group: You ensure we don’t have to turn away people in dire need. You offer hope. You say: I care about you. You are worth it.
With the safety of a Family Promise home and people who care, stability grows. I’m inspired every day by the determination and grit of the neighbors we serve. They go back to school, build new skills, join support networks, get better jobs, and find permanent housing.
But only with friends like you in their corner. These families are relying on your generosity, for a little help that can change everything. Family Promise of South Sarasota County’s ability to help families has relied on giving, loving friends like you for 7 years. But NO year has been quite like this one.
Will you come through for those in our community who are suffering this holiday season?
Will you ensure the resources needed to meet the number of calls for help as this unprecedented year ends?
I know how good it will feel to get a family out of their car or a hotel and into safety. By answering the call, you will be the warm heart of this life-changing work – a helper in the hardest of hard times.
