Social Action Ministries
Christians United Outreach Center
Contact
Deacon Mark Westrick
(919) 499 - 3772
Resources
Catholic Relief Services
Family Promise
WHO ARE WE?
Family Promise of Lee County opened its doors in November 2011, working to establish a service for homeless families with children. The non-profit is an affiliate of the National Family Promise Organization, which boasts interfaith hospitality networks in many states. Applicants go through a rigorous process for admission to the program, which is not just a hand out but definitely a hand up in a very difficult time in their lives.
Prior to the Covid pandemic, families spent their nights at a series of local participating churches which rotated host duties each week. Since Covid, families stay at the Family Promise Day Center on Woodland Avenue, where they receive job search assistance as well as financial management and life skills sessions. Currently, meals are prepared by volunteers from 23 parishes on a rotating basis, approximately once every three months, and delivered each evening to the Day Center.
WHAT WE DO
St. Stephen is a support parish. Our job as a support parish is to secure volunteers to prepare a meal in your home to be delivered to the Day Center in the evening on a specific day of the week. Meals do not need to be elaborate, just simple comfort food that your own family enjoys. The number served is usually ten or less, depending on the number of families being served at any given time.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE
Follow your heart in answering God’s call as in Matthew 25:35—For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.
WHO DO I CONTACT?
To volunteer for meals or for other questions or concerns, please contact Kathy Kostrewa,
919 - 353 - 5311 or kostrewa@windstream.net.