of Birmingham
Sparking Change
OUR MISSION
Family Promise of Birmingham, founded in 1998 as the Birmingham Hospitality Network , is a network of diverse faith and civic organizations working together to provide safe, home-like lodging where homeless families can stay together while working to regain their independence.
On any given day, more than half the guests served by Family Promise-Bham are children.
Our goal is to help in maintaining a stable life for homeless families:
To bring shelter, meals and support services to families without homes.
To make a difference in homelessness in our own community.
To inform, energize and motivate congregations about homeless families.
To provide opportunities for host families to volunteer their time.
NEED HELP?
Call: (205) 918-0246
Family Promise of Birmingham is one of only 2 shelters in North Central Alabama that serves families consisting of:
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Husbands and wives with children
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Men with children
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Women with children- one must a be a male child 10 years or older
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Guardians with children
Families must be capable of participating in a family environment supervised by volunteers. There is absolutely no fee for services.
All adults must pass a thorough criminal background screening, as well as a drug test. Other criteria include:
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No untreated mental health issues
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No active domestic violence
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Interviews and intakes are completed Monday – Friday from 7:30 am until 2:00 by appointment only. We are not an emergency shelter- meaning families do not move in the same day as inquiry phone call.
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To make a referral, complete a phone interview, or for more information, please call Rana Cowan at 205-918-0246, or email director@familypromisebham.org.
PERMANENT STAFF
Family Promise of Birmingham
RANA COWAN, LBSW
Executive Director/
Social Worker
Rana is a graduate of the University of Montevallo’s School of Social Work. She has been with us since we opened in 1998.
Director of Marketing and Development
NATALIE
ARENDALL
Natalie joined Family Promise of Birmingham in 2019. She has experience in communications and business development. She has already done so much to help us grow our organization, and we can't wait to see what's to come!
TARI WILLIAMS
Weekend Day Center Coordinator
Tari has helped our team tremendously by acting as Weekend Day Center Coordinator since 2012.
THE
BOARD
Steven Boydstun, President
Drew Smith, Vice President
Brenda Tidwell, Treasurer
Debbie Perkins, Secretary
Claire Hardesty
Keith Harrelson
Tom Jeffries
Elizabeth Hayes
Tom Lamkin
Pamela Marsh
David Reese
Greg Rhodes
Rebecca Richardson
HOMELESS PREVENTION
Sometimes we get calls from families that are still housed, but are at risk of becoming homeless. Our Social Worker assists with accessing community resources that may be able to prevent them from becoming homeless and having to come to shelter.
COMMUNITY CASE MANAGEMENT
When persons are not appropriate for our program, we work with them to access the resources they are appropriate for, such as other shelter placements, drug treatment programs, mental health treatment, utility assistance, etc.
HOW TO HELP
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Your help and donations are crucial to allow Family Promise to continue to make a difference in the lives of homeless families.
Ask your congregation to become active and involved with Family Promise.
Volunteer at one of the Host Congregations.
Make a financial donation now.
Become a Sponsor.
Support, sponsor and attend our fundraising activities.
Family Promise of Birmingham
P.O. Box 531233
Birmingham, Alabama 35253
Phone: (205) 918-0246
E-mail: director@familypromisebham.org
WISH LIST
We are always in need of the following:
Gas gift cards
Wal-Mart or Target gift cards
Gently used luggage or tote bags
Blank note cards
Hygiene products
Trash bags
Clear back packs for students
Paper towels
Buckets with cleaning supplies
Postage stamps
Copier paper
Laundry soap/dryer sheets/bleach
STORIES OF HOPE
"When my family and I came to Family Promise of Birmingham we were looking for shelter and found so much more. We felt hopeless and afraid . What we thought was the end, was really our new beginning. Immediately after our intake we were empowered so well that we no longer felt homeless, but at home away from home. FPOB supported us mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as financially. Words can’t describe our stay at FPOB. As a result of the program, we are much stronger and more self-sufficient than we have ever been. Last but not least, we made lifetime friends that feels so much like family. The Owens family will ever be grateful for the love and support that was shown to us in our time of need. We are still being blessed from the program, and we thank you all and pray that you and your family will be blessed in all that you do."
the Owens family
“Family Promise of Birmingham is a wonderful organization. They have helped my family and me in a very large way. When we moved here, I didn’t know where we’d go or what I’d do as far as living arrangements. I was a nervous wreck because nothing seemed to be working out as I’d expected. I did expect to be staying in a large room filled with cots, but FPOB is nothing like that. Being within a network of congregations is very uplifting and filled with people eager to help and keep us encouraged. I’m very grateful that God put us on this path. FPOB has helped my family to become closer and has helped me to achieve so many goals I wasn’t able to achieve before coming here. FPOB is a great program to be a part of and I would recommend it to anyone needing a place to go to get on their feet.”
S.A.
“What does Family Promise of Birmingham mean to me and my family? We are a family of four that was placed into the shelter system, after my husband’s trucking accident, that left him disabled. We were faced with many difficult trials while living with family members. During a hospital visit, we were told about BHN now Family Promise of Birmingham, because he was becoming more and more depressed daily where we lived and was asked to leave. We all were scared initially, because the word “SHELTER” connotes, large room with cots everywhere!! Not so with FPOB. The staff was so patient and kind to us, that it made the transition for my family easy. There are 3 things to know about this shelter: 1. FPOB is a facility that exudes love, kindness, and compassion to all families. The staff makes it convenient for those that lost everything comforting. 2. FPOB is a facility that helps re-establish morals and stability to struggling families. 3. FPOB is the “face of help” that families need to see in times of despondency. When life gives you lemons, FPOB turns “THOSE” lemons into lemonade with the love they are willing to share with all people.”
the Dill Family
“One is not always happy when one is good; but one is always good when one is happy”
Oscar Wilde
HELP US CHANGE THE WORLD
Make an Impact
We wouldn’t be able to run Family Promise of Birmingham without the generous contributions from donors across the globe. Your support has the power to immediately make a difference in someone’s life. All of your support goes towards making a difference, so every penny counts. We look forward to working together and changing the world.
Get in touch with
Family Promise of Birmingham
Mailing Address: PO Box 531233, Birmingham Al 35253
Street Address: 1016 19th St South, Birmingham, Al 35205 Birmingham AL United States
Phone: (205) 918-0246
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