Laurie Ender

Most people are shocked to learn there are hundreds of homeless children in the Santa Clarita Valley.

It’s not something most of us would notice on a daily basis. But our community, like every community across the country, faces a growing problem of family homelessness.

That’s where Family Promise Santa Clarita Valley comes in.

Since Family Promise opened its doors two years ago, we have helped dozens of local homeless families get back on their feet again. Each family’s personal story is different, but nearly every one of them shares with us their feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. When parents run out of options, they don’t know where to turn, and their children suffer the consequences.

Family Promise of SCV receives referrals from many local nonprofits and agencies such as Single Mothers Outreach and the Child and Family Center, as well as churches and synagogues. We also encourage school personnel and counselors to refer families to us for help.

It’s often the classroom teacher who is the first to notice that a student is in crisis because of lack of food or sleep or even clean clothing.

When people in our community find out about Family Promise and our local families in need, their response is usually: “How can I help?” While we are always looking for volunteers and donations – both in-kind and financial – one of the other ways to help is by referring local homeless families to Family Promise. They can call our Resource Center at 661-251-2867 for more information and to schedule an intake interview.

For more information about Family Promise and to find out how you can make a difference for our local homeless children and their families, visit our website at www.FamilyPromiseSCV.org.

Help us end homelessness in our community, one family at a time … because every child deserves a home.

Laurie Ender is the 2013-14 president of Family Promise SCV.