First Parish is one of three congregations participating in a pilot program developed by Family Promise Metrowest. The nonprofit aims to transform the lives of families with children who are facing homelessness by mobilizing a diverse community to provide shelter, education, and comprehensive support.
The new pilot program, titled “Walk with a Family,” will enable congregations to support a variety of needs, depending on the family they support.
First Parish in Wayland will “walk” with a family of five former shelter residents now renting in Wayland, with the continuing support from Family Promise. Our First Parish project team has met with the Family Promise program coordinators and the Wayland-residing parent. The group discussed the experiences the family of five has had with housing insecurity and homelessness, then with the shelter program, and now with apartment life in Wayland under the Sustaining Achievements for Independent Living (SAIL) program. SAIL supports families transitioning from shelter into permanent housing by providing resources that assist them in establishing long-term stability and independence.
Each stage has entailed new challenges, and Family Promise has continued to assist them. We will now join the ongoing effort.
Stay tuned for updates on Wayland-based efforts to support Family Promise’s “Walk to End Homelessness” on Sunday, May 4.