Family Promise of the Big Bend

As the first week of school draws to a close we want to thank Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna -- an alumni board FPBB member-- and Tonja Fitzgerald, Director, Health, Wellness & Student Services for taking the time to make our families feel appreciated. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela

One of the most important renovations is to our learning space. Designed by Betsy Scott (and to the discerning eye you can see Leon County Schools board member Darryl Jones looking at the furniture) the new education room includes a cozy reaching corner and brand-new tables and chairs.

Shamarial Roberson, our board chair, and DSR Public Health Foundation hosted a school drive. She is joined by School Board member Darryl Jones earlier this week to distribute backpacks filled with school supplies.

Exciting news -- Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez and the Florida Veterans Foundation presented $10,000 to Homefront to replace the roof for our veteran residents made possible by the Race for Our Heroes 5k. Visit included a thoughtful conversation on Family Promise's desires to expand affordable housing for veterans. With Nick Maddox, CEO; Shamarial Roberson, Board Chair; Tim Griffith, Property Manager; Baker, Chairman, Fl Veteran Fnd; Bob Aszatlos, Deputy Executive Director, FDVA; Roy Clark, GR, FDVA; Brooks Bernardo, Director of Hope Navigators, FDFVA; Kristen Encizo Knapp, Fl Veteran Fnd board; McFadden, Liza & Partners

We're proud to share our basketball court resurfacing just in time for afterschool play time! Like our new brand colors?

Meet Dr. Trey Blake, Chief Medical Officer for HCA Florida Capital Hospital and the secretary for the Family Promise of the Big Bend's board of directors. Dr. Blake is an advocate for health and safety and has been a champion supporting the renovations of our properties. "The places of our lives – our living space, our workplaces, our schools and more – affect the quality of our health and affect our well-being."

Happy Fourth of July! We appreciate the freedom that is ours today and we honor everyone who helps to keep that freedom secure.

Thank you Veteran Affairs for helping to put 3 garden beds at our property at Balkin Rd which is transitioning to serving formerly homeless veterans. "To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul" -- Rudyard Kipling

This week residents move back into two of our dorms. (One to finish!). Here Russ Powell ofOliverSperry Renovation & Construction talks with CEO Nick Maddox on final stages.

Happy Birthday to us!! Family Promise of the Big Bend turns 37 years old today, June 22, 2024! Yes, you can make a small gift to celebrate! Visit us https://familypromisebigbend.org/

Happy Birthday to us!! Family Promise of the Big Bend turns 37 years old this month on June 22, 2024! Yes, you can make a gift to celebrate! Visit us https://familypromisebigbend.org/

We celebrate veterans everyday, but on this Flag Day we give special thanks to the veterans who have served our country. And a shout out to the Florida Veterans Foundation for all they do across the state to support veterans.

Chef Rebecca Kelly-Manders briefed Senator Corey Simon and guests earlier this week and showed off the renovated dining area now named "Family Table" where her team provides nutritious meals. Rebecca also talked about the students who are returning citizens trained on campus to learn culinary skills.

In case you missed it -- here's WTXL Tallahassee story on the HOPE ribbon cutting! Florida Department of Children and Families Junior League of Tallahassee

DOORS REOPEN: Renovations boost services at HOPE community helping families Following multi-million dollar renovations, HOPE has reopened its doors. That's thanks to public, private, and government support. Find out how upgrades will enable them to help vulnerable families.

Wow - thank you friends and partners who joined us for the ribbon cutting today at HOPE. We opened with a press conference featuring Corey Simon, who shared, "I have visited this center, HOPE, over the years. I think this Grand Re-Opening is the perfect opportunity to share the basics of what happens at HOPE: On average 100 to 145 family members spend the night here. They receive shelter and food and solid counseling advice." Kiara Greene a former client who profusely thanked the counselors and shared that she is now in stable housing and attending TCC. Deputy Secretary Casey Penn of Department of Children and Families and CEO Nick Maddox thanked our many long-term partners including Junior League of Tallahassee United Way of the Big Bend Tallahassee Garden Club Leon County Government Bag For HOPE Thank you board members Amy Lynn Bradbury Harrison Michael Yaworsky David Vincent Jamie Forrest and everyone who came out to support us. big thanks! More to come!

Our Supportive Services for Veterans Families provides case management and supportive services to prevent the loss of a Veteran's home or identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family. More info weekdays at: (850) 792-9440. “Without heroes, we are all plain people, and don't know how far we can go.” Bernard Malamud

Meet Tara Hall, Family Promise's Director of Finance. "Three key efforts this year have been: adding an employee retirement plan, moving our financial systems fully online, and beginning to build a reserve account."

Maria Medina-Nigaglion was an FSU intern with us. She shared the following post on LinkedIn and is allowing us to re-share her story:

As I close out my Case Management internship with Supportive Services for Veteran Families at Family Promise of the Big Bend, I have been reflecting on how much I have learned, not only from the organization and its affiliates, but from the people I have so graciously been able to serve. Throughout this process I learned of the numerous barriers people face whether it be due to race, economic status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or all of the above. There are numerous crises happening on a local and global scale. We are taught to remove ourselves from these crises and separate ourselves from the people being affected and the stories they share.
At Family Promise, many veterans experiencing homelessness relayed the isolation and shame they carried, not being able to have connections to world around them due to their economic status and other barriers shutting them out of society. With a Housing First approach we were able to quickly provide housing and a sense of safety so veterans could work towards re-connecting with the world.
I am gracious of the learning opportunity at Family Promise and know there is more, much more work to be done.
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Our General Manager of HOPE and Finance Director tour HOPE's remodel efforts. Van is Vector Security updating system and truck is hauling in landscaping. We currently operate emergency services at an off-campus facility and can be reached at (850) 576-5566.

There is a huge nexus between youth aging out of foster care and homelessness, so we are thrilled to share information about the upcoming No More Orphans Experience which will feature information on foster care, Guardian ad Litem, adoption and more. It's for everyone from teens to adults to learn how to get involved as an advocate or more. Register @ https://declarenomore.com/orphans/

Just a little over a year ago we formerly changed our name from Big Bend Homeless Coalition to Family Promise of the Big Bend. We did it as we offer many services including HOPE, our emergency shelter, and we operate 3 affordable housing complexes, as well as provide services to help families and veterans find affordable housing. Family Promise is a nationwide network of about 200 like-minded organizations and we're proud to be part of this national effort.

National Dental Care Month reminds us of the importance of caring for our pearly whites. Today we also thank DentaQuest for their support. Learn more about the social determinants of health and the impact of poverty here: https://www.dentaquest.com/en/news-and-resources/industry-insights/social-drivers-of-oral-health-economic-stability

Steve Beasley is a long-term board member whose expertise in marketing and development are truly appreciated. He founded Capital Outlook newspaper and after 50 years at the helm of his advertising business, Stephen finally retired and focused fully on service. He serves as the CEO of the MLK Foundation, which sponsors and promotes cultural events while also spreading the spirit of community pride and equality embodied by Dr. King. Family Promise of the Big Bend thanks Mr. Beasley for his service!

We love our Chef Rebecca ❤️

We love Chef. We love her, we love her heart, her mind for this program, and the love she has for the students.

We love Chef, and how proud she is of her graduates. Each and every one of them.

Rarely does she get a chance to sit and see the fruits of her labor. Even here, she may look relaxed, but her brain was going in a million directions.

We love Chef. And we want to continue to show her that love. Show her that her vision for the growth of this program is not in vain, that it is not a fleeting dream, and that it is not impossible.

You can show your commitment to her dream as well by making sure to donate. With your support, we can continue to offer the program tuition free to students, while also providing uniforms, books, and a professional knife kit.

Congratulations to Jude, our lead SSVF case manager, on being awarded Florida State University College of Social Work’s field educator of the year! 👏🏼

🏆 Field Educator of the Year is L. Jude Dugas (MSW 2015)! Jude Dugas is the lead case manager with the Family Promise of the Big Bend's (formerly Big Bend Homeless Coalition Inc) Supportive Services for Veteran Families and supervises College of Social Work field interns.

Jude’s nominator said: “It is thanks to social workers like Jude that students have the opportunity to learn through firsthand experience both the challenges and joys of the profession. I hope this nomination serves as a reminder to Jude that his efforts are appreciated. Thank you for making my undergraduate internship experience a great one!”

Read about all of our 2023 CSW Award winners at https://bit.ly/42PT8JN.