Family Promise of White & Habersham

Family Promise of White & Habersham's mission is to mobilize community agencies and resources to help low-income families—families living in their cars, motels, campers and tents, and/or double-occupancy—establish and sustain employment, transportation, affordable housing, and ultimately a sense of independence. FPWH's programs target low-income families with children under the age of 18 who are struggling to maintain a safe/affordable home of their own.

We believe that every child deserves a home and strive to help children/families achieve independence!  In addition, FPWH provides a variety of mission/fellowship opportunities; creates initiatives that bring a community together; gives volunteers meaningful ways to help those in need; builds public awareness regarding homelessness and low-income families.

Our local founders, Jesse & Anna Nix, saw a great need in the rural county that they had been raised in. With a shortage of high-paying jobs, inadequate affordable housing and a growing opioid crisis, the community where the Nixes lived was not the same sweet little town they remember as children. With nearly 300 homeless children on record between White & Habersham counties each year (and this just counts those 5+), they knew something had to be done to drive change. With the help of like-minded leaders and unwavering support from the community, Family Promise of White & Habersham was established and began serving guest families in 2013. Every family enters with a unique set of needs, and staff/volunteers exhaust all resources to help them return to independence; however, some obstacles require additional support. In 2016, two programs were added to FPWH's list of services. Operation Jump-Start helps guests overcome hurdles they may face as they strive toward independence and Sustaining Our Families was established to help families return to independent living upon graduation. Family Promise has also forged numerous partnerships within their community to make families' stays more manageable and their transition into independence as smooth and sustainable as possible.

Over the last six years, FPWH has housed, fed, and changed the lives of more than 170 children (85+ families) from White and Habersham counties. In 2019 alone, Family Promise had the privilege of serving as a resource for an additional 316 families by connecting them with services when they did not qualify for the church rotation program directly. 12 congregations serve as hosts for three homeless families at a time for a one–week period, four times each year. The host congregation provides meals and accommodations for approximately 50-80 family members annually.