| December 2024 - January 2025 |
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Better Together
Hello Martin County friends and family! This past holiday season, you showed us the strength of a community united by compassion. You gave more than gifts—you gave joy, hope, and a reminder to the families we serve that they are not alone.
The smiles on the children’s faces and the relief in their parents’ eyes told a powerful story: this is what happens when people come together for a shared purpose. Our work isn’t just about ending childhood homelessness; it’s about creating spaces where families feel safe, loved, and supported. We were able to do that all because of YOU!
Thank you to everyone who helped make our holidays so special, including Mariner Sands Benevolence White Doves, Target - Jensen Beach Team, Immanuel Lutheran Church, First United Methodist Church Stuart, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Everyday Mission- The Whole Enchilada, and the lovely family and their friends who wish to remain anonymous for showing these families that they matter. Together, we’re helping them find not just a home but a sense of belonging.
*Photo above of our Director of Operations--Paige Cortes getting a big thank you hug from one of the children we serve excited for her gifts. |
COACH DAD! Following the progress on this Family Success Story:
Another local member of our workforce, John, called us desperate for help several months ago. He has been working for the same local employer for over 20 years, living in Hobe Sound. His wife had been working in the same job at a local bank in Stuart for 30 years. Their youngest of four is the last to leave the nest in a few years, he is a sophomore at SFHS and plays baseball, Dad coaches. John’s wife became ill and was suddenly no longer able to work.
Now living on only one income they could no longer afford their rent, they had to leave their long-term rental with no place to go. John and family are living in our Almost Home transitional housing. We connected John with our contacts to help him qualify for home ownership. He very quickly followed all the steps. In just a few short months’ time he received his mortgage pre-approval letter.
We are so pleased to announce John and family just received word yesterday they have been approved SHIP downpayment assistance to purchase their first home!!! For the first time in their lives—this family is on the path to homeownership! |
Looking Back: Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Service!
Life doesn’t always go as planned—but that’s where resilience is born. When Hurricane Milton disrupted our October Bed Race, we had a choice: cancel or adapt.
Our neighbors in need are more important to us. We chose to serve! On what was supposed to be race day, we rolled up our sleeves and helped our neighbors in Salerno recover from the storm. In the photo top right you can see our team made up of lovely people, each representing their home church (we are church members first and foremost) and a few of us who were there on behalf of Family Promise. |
| Above - members of Team BNI Powerhouse dressed as superheroes and raced their bed on wheels to the finish line! Click below to see actual our Bed Race in Action! |
Raising over $45,000 to End Childhood Homelessness in Martin County!
When the rescheduled Bed Race took place on our new date in November, even with less teams and attendees able to attend--this wasn’t just an event; it was a celebration of what we can achieve together. We could not have done it without our amazing Bed Race Committee and our Sponsors. This was our best Bed Race yet, with the most money raised to date. https://www.mcfamilypromise.org/bed-race/
We love you!!!!!! A special thank you to our Director of Operations who stepped in and took this event to the top. What an amazing day!
Racing beds may sound whimsical, but its purpose is profound: raising awareness and building support for families experiencing homelessness. United, we can transform obstacles into opportunities. |
Promise HomeShare:
Since 2021, our HomeShare program has been redefining what it means to find home. Housing isn’t just shelter—it’s about stability, dignity, and community. That’s why we’ve been helping families who choose shared housing connect with current homeowners and renters who have space to rent, creating safe, healthy, and supportive living arrangements. Whether its seniors supporting families, families partnering with families, or intergenerational households coming together, these connections are more than just a temporary solution—they are a testament to what’s possible when we lean on one another. They do not always work out as planned, and we find very few families and very few seniors choose this route. When they do and the fit is right it is a win all the way around.
By fostering stability through shared housing, we’re not just providing a roof over someone’s head—we’re strengthening the foundation of our entire community. |
Teen Program Nights: Meeting Youth Where They Are:
We believe that addressing the needs of the youth experiencing homelessness is just as important as meeting the parents and the family as a whole. We want our teens to have a safe place to share their struggles and fears. We value their experience and desire a better future, one filled with hope and compassion as we bring teens together to share their experience, their pain, their hopes for a better tomorrow.
We are splitting up our program nights so that the parents have one night and the teens meet on a separate night. As we build this program, we will add a program for the all the children "littles" and “tweens”.
Children that experience homelessness are 31% more likely to experience homelessness as an adult unless they receive early intervention. We want to break the cycle. We have contracted with an expert therapist to provide additional group therapy.
We meet with our parents and the children in a group setting once a month. We need sponsors to help us cover program night dinner costs.
Our program nights continue to be a tremendous success, with targeted sessions focusing on the following that we will now be expanding for teen:
- Financial literacy to help teens set life goals and plan for their future.
- Job readiness workshops to empower teens to find employment opportunities to help support their family, learn important career skills and prepare for college/career field.
- Mental health support to offer guidance and healing in times of emotional stress. This includes a teen peer support group.
These nights about education—they are about community, connection, and reminding children they are not alone in this journey! They have peers who also hide their shame and worries. It is a time to bring them together to lean on one another, learn from each other and grow! |
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THANKFUL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
Because Pets are Family!
Imagine losing your home AND, in the midst of that uncertainty, being forced to give up a beloved pet—the one source of unconditional love and stability in a time of chaos.
For families experiencing homelessness, this is an all-too-common reality.
Our Pets are not just animals—they are family. And no one should have to choose between finding shelter and keeping their furry loved ones.
That’s why we created our Promise for Pets Foster Program, a solution driven by love, empathy, and community.
Through the generosity of dedicated volunteers, we provide safe, temporary homes for pets while their families work toward stability. These foster families don’t just care for animals—they help keep families whole.
To every Pet Foster Family: thank you. You are making a difference, not just for pets, but for the people who love them. |
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| BEFORE Above - AFTER Below |
Baby Steps-Big Changes—One Year at a Time!
There are moments in life that shift the course of your journey. As we shared with you last newsletter, one of those moments happened in October, thanks to an incredibly generous anonymous donor, Family Promise of Martin County was able to pay off our mortgage! Here is what we started doing after we burned our mortgage....
What we didn’t share is this donor designated these funds not only to pay off our mortgage but to renovate our space. We renovated so that each room served dual purposes to increase efficiencies in service, accommodate our growing team and programs AND create a space where families feel a sense of dignity when they walk through our doors. No more hand me down furniture, outdated old bathrooms and kitchen.
We are busy putting in new floors, cabinets, desks, family friendly furniture and more. We are getting close to the big reveal. Stay tuned for our before and after photos next newsletter. Above a before and after of our kitchen and laundry. Our families are so happy. We are forever grateful for this gift!
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Continued Expansion of Our Almost Home Program: 10 units and counting!
With our vision to end homelessness, we understand that it’s not just about finding a temporary solution, but about building pathways to long-term stability.
We’ve begun moving new families into our new housing units. All the parents are members of our local workforce here in Martin County that have children in our daycares/school system. We are working together with each family, to provide them the tools to overcome each barrier to put the past in the past, prevent families from living in their car, tent, shelter, hotel or couch surfing. As we, together, create a strategy for their future, Families feel empowered by possibilities and eager to do more.
We are adding more Almost Home units with a goal to add 8 more units as they become available in our growing master lease program working with local independent property owners. We will bring on another unit in February to increase our total to 11 units.
Photograph of our team members assembling a bed in one of the units as we ready it for a mom with a tween and twin toddlers. This family lost their home in Ocean Pointe because that housing is flipping from affordable workforce housing to luxury rentals for non-locals. Mom has a smile on her face when she comes home from work, after picking up her children from afterschool care-- twins on each hip and big brother right by her side. What a blessing it is to provide this housing that truly serves our local workforce! |
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Welcome new Family Promise Team Members:
Meet Rahz Slaughter "Coach Rahz" – Empowering Families & Future Leaders
Coach Rahz, our new Director of Programs, is on a mission to help families and teens unlock their full potential. As the Founder of Meta Burn Fitness and the Creator of The Unstoppable Teenager Movement, he has spent decades coaching individuals to develop the mindset, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive in life.
With a passion for personal growth and transformation, Coach Rahz’s superpower is helping people discover their unstoppable mindset—the key to breaking through challenges and creating lasting success. His work has impacted countless families, guiding parents and teens toward stronger relationships, emotional resilience, and self-mastery.
Now, he’s bringing his expertise and energy to our Family Promise community, where he looks forward to empowering and inspiring those ready to embrace a future without limits.
Rei Diaz with Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council
We are excited to announce that our new collaboration with the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council (TCHSC) includes a dedicated employee of TCHSC working alongside Family Promise of Martin County team members to help us better serve Martin County tackle and prevent homelessness.
By joining forces, we are already more effectively coordinating resources, expanding our reach, and providing even greater support to those in need. We are so pleased to have Rei join our team. |
Thank You
Thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission, and being a part of something much bigger than any one of us alone. Together, we are building a future where no child in Martin County has to wonder where they will sleep at night.
See you at the Bed Race!
With gratitude and purpose,
Madeleine Bozone Greenwood, Executive Director |
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DID YOU KNOW???
- 33% of families in Martin County are part of the ALICE population (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed). That means they are working full time but are only one emergency away from homelessness.
- Our average renter wage in Florida is $20 per hour, yet the wage needs to be $46.24 per hour for a single income earner with two children.
- Over 700 children in Martin County were registered in the school system 2024 school year as homeless or living in unstable housing conditions. Also when factored in children under school age, and those whose families are fearful of registering their children for concern of retribution, and this number would increase dramatically.
- Average cost of childcare per child is $10,321 annually.
WE ARE FAMILY PROMISE
Transforming the lives of families experiencing homelessness. Because every child deserves a home.
Ask us how you can help us with our mission; call 772.266.9327, or email Gail White (gwhite@mcfamilypromise.org). Gail will direct you to the right person to connect with you. |
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Our goal at Family Promise of Martin County is to help children and their families experiencing homelessness transition to a home of their own. In order to help maintain housing stability, we provide shelter, meals, transportation, case management, financial training, and education through a network of congregations, volunteer workers, and donations.
Donations are gratefully accepted, either on-line or by clicking the link, or may be mailed to:
Family Promise of Martin County
P.O. Box 1919
Stuart, FL 34995
Questions, interested in volunteering, or for more information, or to schedule a time to meet with us, please contact us at 772-266-9327 or email info@mcfamilypromise.org |
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