Too many families experience homelessness.  We have a great resource in Berks County called Family Promise of Berks County which helps families experiencing homelessness for the first time with a place to stay, vocational and interview skills training, job hunting, and much more.  Family Promise partnered with congregations to serve as host sites (Atonement has shared its space since 2008) but with the coronavirus pandemic, they have changed to an Apartment Model in which families stay up to 90 days in houses that Family Promise rents. 

Family Promise is using three rental properties that shelter 3-6 families (up to 20 people). The families move on to permanent housing as quickly as possible.  

Staying in one place during their time with Family Promise allows families to have bedtime routines for the children and more flexible work schedules.  Since the families are in houses, they have access to a kitchen.  Atonement plans to provide groceries at the beginning of our host weeks, provide prepared meals on Mondays, and donate grocery gift cards to cover what we forget!  Providing gift cards and groceries for the families instills self-sufficiency and empowers the client to oversee something when much of their current situation leads them to feel powerless, while cooked meals once a week provides a welcome break during this stressful time.

Atonement plans to provide groceries at the beginning of our host time, provide prepared meals on Mondays, and donate grocery gift cards to cover what we forget! Drop-offs will be contactless and volunteers will not be engaging with clients directly due to the COVID-19 virus, for everyone’s safety. 

Please help serve our Family Promise guests with delicious food, groceries and hope!

Atonement is scheduled for Family Promise hosting right after Easter during the weeks of 4/10/23 and 4/17/23. There is a SignUpGenius for the two weeks in April at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E49A9A822A4F94-family1 which will be updated with current family details as the time draws near.

Atonement is scheduled for Family Promise hosting during the weeks of 7/10/23 and 7/17/23; build some time into your summer plans to help!    There is a SignUpGenius for the two weeks in July at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e49a9a822a4f94-family#/ which will be updated with current family details as the time draws near.