header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 4
1940 - NYC premiere of "The Marines Fly High" starring Lucille Ball, filmed in Placerita Canyon [story] Marines Fly High


| Friday, Jun 25, 2021
Residents from left, Lisa Reyes, Sandra and Matthew Beardsley and their children Grayson, 8 weeks, and Wyatt, 2, look on as Benny Galan, left, is photographed by Roche' Vermaak, right, Executive Director of Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley as he blows out the candles on his tenth birthday cake at the Family Promise home in Castaic on Thursday, October 22, 2020. Dan Watson/The Signal

Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley, a nonprofit dedicated to serving local homeless families, celebrated its 10-year anniversary this month.

Since opening in 2011, the organization, its leaders, volunteers and donors have worked together to help change the lives of countless homeless families.

Family Promise began in New Jersey in 1986 when a group of community faith leaders came together to address the growing concern of family homelessness in their community.

Volunteer Karen Olson led the group in creating a plan to not only feed, but also house homeless families at the local congregations, creating the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which was later named Family Promise, in 1988.

In 2009, Terry and Larry Comp gathered faith leaders and community members to launch a Family Promise in the SCV, with the first families receiving shelter in June 2011.

Family Promise volunteers shop for groceries for local homeless families. Courtesy

Families have continued to be housed at local congregations and in motels since then, through 30-, 60- or 90-day stays — until the pandemic hit, closing congregations indefinitely, forcing the organization to pivot to continue serving homeless families.

In July 2020, a generous donor allowed Family Promise to purchase a transitional house, allowing the organization to continue its program, providing both shelter and case management services.

From June 2011 to March 2020, 113 families and 371 people took shelter at local congregations, while 84 families, including 278 people and five unborn children, have taken shelter in local motels for 373 nights since 2015.

While the pandemic halted congregation sheltering efforts, 12 families, or 38 people, spent 86 nights in motels, and the transitional house has provided 2,065 beds over the course of 733 nights, housing a total of 28 people since mid-September, with seven of the eight families graduating from the program.

Family Promise has also continued paying utilities, internet, supplies, food, toiletries, child care, transportation, gas and rent, among other things, for families in need and has remained committed to serving and assisting those families in meeting their three goals: finding work, saving money and finding permanent housing, according to Roché Vermaak, executive director.

Rachel Rieckhoff, Program Manager of Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley, walks into a bedroom converted to a children’s study and play room in the 2800 square foot Family Promise home in Castaic on Thursday, October 22, 2020. Dan Watson/The Signal

“Family Promise has continued to grow and meet the changing needs of the homeless families in our community,” said board President Lance O’Keefe.

Earlier this month, the Santa Clarita Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for Family Promise’s new transitional house, which is set to comprise five single-story apartment units for low-income families with children in Newhall.

The organization has partnered with the city of Santa Clarita, Williams Homes and HomeAid Los Angeles for the project, set to consist of a dedicated resource center and four affordable housing units for low-income and homeless families with children in Newhall, allowing these families to stay for a longer period of time after they’ve graduated the program.

“We are immensely grateful to both the city of Santa Clarita and Williams Homes for the opportunity to have four working families stay in the future housing units for three to nine months while they save money to afford their own permanent housing,” added Laurie Ender, past board president. “Staying in our transitional house for 30 to 90 days is a good start to saving money, but to afford a security deposit and a few months’ rent takes longer to save. This project illustrates our community’s ongoing commitment to help their neighbors who are most in need.”

Transitional housing has become virtually nonexistent, as the pandemic has used up much of the funding, making this a vital resource to the SCV, according to Vermaak.

“This will afford working families the opportunity to continue to save and build up a nest egg to get permanent housing,” Vermaak added.

A family graduates from Family Promise’s transitional housing program in June 2021. Courtesy

With case management services set to continue, families are expected to receive financial training and assistance, as well as both medical and psychological treatment to address past traumas.

“We see both adults and children alike struggling with trauma from being homeless,” Vermaak said, adding that Family Promise works with the L.A. County and Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers for mental health services. “It offers families an opportunity to know they are going to be housed … and that the trauma stops right now because there’s a future for them.”

The program’s resource center is also set to help families with systemic issues, such as unhealthy eating, not only providing them with groceries and meals, but also teaching them how to cook and eat healthy, as well as sufficient office space to allow for a place where both children and parents can come and work with consistent WiFi and volunteers to help tutor.

While a large portion of the costs to build the Family Promise House and Resource Center are expected to be donated by Williams Homes and the building community, the organization needs to raise an additional $1.6 million to complete the project.

Family Promise is calling on the community, businesses and congregations to help them raise the capital and help provide a lasting solution for homeless families in the SCV.

For more information on Family Promise, visit familypromise.org, email contact@familypromisescv.org or call 661-251-2867.

Residents Julia Reyes, left, and mother Lisa Reyes cut the cake for Benny Galan, right, as he celebrates his tenth birthday in kitchen of the Family Promise home in Castaic on Thursday, October 22, 2020. Dan Watson/The Signal

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NONPROFIT LINKS

NONPROFIT HEADLINES
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2025
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale, a community choir known for bringing the joy of music to the Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding areas, has faced an unexpected financial setback due to ticketing platform Brown Paper Tickets' non-payment of more than $20,000.
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2025
"Support Structures," a joint exhibition of the work of Michelle Miracle and Donna Rooney, will be held at the Santa Clarita Artists Association Gallery in Old Town Newhall March 28-30.
Monday, Mar 3, 2025
JCI Santa Clarita will host "LEAP Laboratory: Night at the Museum," a cocktail fundraiser 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Tesoro Club House.
Friday, Feb 28, 2025
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley will host its 53rd Annual Benefit Auction on Saturday, May 31, at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
Thursday, Feb 27, 2025
Michael Hoffeman Foundation will host the Walk 4 MHF event, 9 a.m. Saturday, April 5 at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale, a community choir known for bringing the joy of music to the Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding areas, has faced an unexpected financial setback due to ticketing platform Brown Paper Tickets' non-payment of more than $20,000.
Santa Clarita Master Chorale Calls for Accountability from Brown Paper Tickets
"Support Structures," a joint exhibition of the work of Michelle Miracle and Donna Rooney, will be held at the Santa Clarita Artists Association Gallery in Old Town Newhall March 28-30.
Michelle Miracle, Donna Rooney Present ‘Support Structures’ Exhibit
1940 - NYC premiere of "The Marines Fly High" starring Lucille Ball, filmed in Placerita Canyon [story] Marines Fly High
The Valley Industry Association will host a luncheon Friday, March 21, on the topic of "California's Growing Insurance Crisis."
March 21: VIA Luncheon ‘California’s Growing Insurance Crisis’
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, March 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The board will hear a presentation from members of the Behavior Council about efforts to address student behaviors.
March 4: SUSD Governing Board to Hear Update from Behavior Council
California State University, Northridge’s Jazz “A” and “B” Bands will be performing with saxophonist and jazz and R&B legend Ernie Watts Thursday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. at CSUN’s Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts.
March 6: CSUN’s Jazz Bands to Perform with Music Legend Ernie Watts
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station is preparing to submit the department's annual off-highway vehicle grant request.
SCV Sheriff’s Station OHV Grant Request Available for Public Review
The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced the highly anticipated return of the 2025 Business Expo, set to take place on Thursday, June 26, from 4-8 p.m. at the Valencia Town Center.
SCV Chamber Announces 2025 Business Expo
JCI Santa Clarita will host "LEAP Laboratory: Night at the Museum," a cocktail fundraiser 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Tesoro Club House.
April 1: JCI Santa Clarita Hosts ‘LEAP Laboratory-Night at the Museum’
With 3.2 seconds on the clock, Kendall Moore hit a 15-foot jumper to lift The Master's University Men's Basketball team to an 87-85 win over Embry-Riddle in the semifinals of the GSAC Men's Basketball Tournament Saturday afternoon, March 1 in The MacArthur Center.
Moore’s Jumper Sends Mustangs to Title Game
The Master's University track and field squads had success during the first two days of the NAIA Indoor Track Championships in Gainesville, Fla. Feb. 27-March 1. Most notably, the women's 4x800m relay team took home the title with a time of 8:56, which was a facility record.
TMU Women’s Relay Takes Indoor Track Crown
The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians hosted community members on Friday, Feb 28 in Pacoima to celebrate the opening of the Puhawvit Native Plant Nursery.
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Celebrate Opening of Native Plant Nursery
Recent wildfires in Altadena, Pacific Palisades and just north of us in Castaic, have been a stark reminder of the ever-present fire threat in Southern California. As we begin the new year, these devastating events highlight the importance of always being prepared.
Ken Striplin | Stay Prepared, Ensure Safety
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of five productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 3 to Sunday, March 9.
March 3-9: Five Productions Filming in the SCV
1882 - George Campton's Newhall general store explodes [story]
general store
1938 - Great Flood of 1938 causes massive destruction and death across the greater Los Angeles region [story]
flooding
1990 - President George H.W. Bush and Sheriff Sherman Block dedicate new North County Correctional Facility in Castaic [story]
ribbon cutting
At the city of Santa Clarita, we are always trying to find new and innovative ways to serve our residents. This is especially true when looking at how we can connect them to the world of resources offered by the Santa Clarita Public Library.
Jason Gibbs | A Library on Wheels is Coming to Santa Clarita
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley will host its 53rd Annual Benefit Auction on Saturday, May 31, at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
May 31: Mardi Gras, ‘The Big Easy’ is Theme of 53rd Boys & Girls Club Auction
The Lead Singers of Classic Rock Spotlight Series concert will be held Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center on the campus of College of the Canyons.
March 22: Lead Singers of Classic Rock at Santa Clarita PAC
Family, heritage and the stories passed down through generations shape who we are. As the proud son of Puerto Rican parents, I’ve always cherished the deep connections, traditions and legacies that bind families together.
Bill Miranda | Discover the Magic of One Story One City
The city of Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation is calling all fierce, fast and fearless athletes to participate in a girls' flag football program. The three-week program will be open to girls ages 12-15.
March 4: Sign Up for Girls Flag Football, Ages 12-15
In celebration of the recently completed upgrades and renovations to the Regal Valencia movie theater, Regal has announced Community Days on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9.
March 8-9: Celebrate Community Days at Renovated Regal Valencia
SCVNews.com