A family entering the Network will arrive at the day center for an interview with the Family Promise director, who explains the program. At the end of the day, a Family Promise van will transport the family to the host congregation where they will join other guest families.

At the church, volunteers will greet the family and help them settle into their private sleeping area. Then volunteers and guests will dine together in a family setting. Evening activities for children may include homework, crafts, tutoring, or games. Adults may plan their next day’s search for work or housing, read to their children, talk with volunteers, or just relax.

Volunteers will provide breakfast the next morning, and everyone again eats together. Families will travel to the day center in the Family Promise van, where guests shower and prepare for school and work. At the day center, which will be supervised by the Family Promise director and staff, children will play in a safe and secure setting. Adults will search for housing and employment, often with help from volunteers.

At the end of the day, the Family Promise van will take families back to the host congregation. After a week’s stay with the first host congregation, volunteers will help families move to another host congregation. Seven weeks is a family’s average length of stay in a Family Promise  Network. Over 70 percent of guest families secure permanent or transitional housing before leaving Family Promise.

Often the relationship between a family and the Family Promise Network continues after their stay. The Family Promise door is always open for families seeking advice and support. Many guests return as volunteers and mentors, helping to create true community of hospitality.