Family Promise of Grays Harbor:
- United Way of Grays Harbor
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Keeping Families Together When Crisis Hits
United, we building Stability From Shelter to Self-Reliance
In Grays Harbor, Family Promise is the only emergency shelter that keeps entire families together, regardless of age, gender, or household makeup.
“Every kid deserves a home. And no parent should have to choose between staying together or staying sheltered.”
They’re also the only shelter in the county that can house boys age 9 and up, making it possible for single fathers and families with older sons to stay united in a time of crisis. For families already experiencing loss or displacement, that matters more than we can express.
When Chris, a former teacher and mother of twins, lost her home in a fire, she turned to Family Promise. What she found was more than shelter—it was safety, community, and a new start.
“After everything, they still say, ‘Can we go back to Family Promise?’ Because it felt safe. It felt like home.”
Family Promise helps families move from crisis to stability—without splitting them apart. And United Way is proud to help make that possible.
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A Shelter That Builds Stability—Not Just Beds
Family Promise began in 2019 with a rotational shelter model, but the pandemic led to a major shift: they moved to a single-site model inside Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, providing consistency, safety, and space for true healing.
Guests receive case management, budgeting support, job readiness coaching, nutrition education, and even help securing furniture and moving into permanent housing. Families stay as long as they need—until they’re truly ready.
“We don’t just give people a place to stay. We help them build sustainable independence.”
Chris’s Story: Fire, Displacement, and a Second Chance
Chris had just returned to Grays Harbor after years of teaching abroad. When a chimney fire destroyed her mother’s home, she and her 10-year-old twins were suddenly without a place to live.
She wasn’t prepared for the complicated housing system—or the barriers she’d face with credit checks and rental history gaps. A friend connected her to Family Promise.
“I hadn’t even had time to figure out a plan yet.”
She moved in, supported other families, and eventually secured housing. Today, she still volunteers—because she knows how life-changing that support can be.
“Now when Darci says, ‘We need a Chris downstairs,’ I go. Because I know what it feels like.”
Eviction Prevention, Stabilization, and What’s Ahead
In 2024, Family Promise served 137 individuals, the highest number in their history. They also launched a Shelter Diversion and Eviction Prevention program, helping 88 people (including 52 children) avoid homelessness altogether.
Once families leave shelter, the support continues—up to two years of stabilization services, including peer support, employment help, and home essentials.
Looking ahead, Family Promise is exploring transitional housing—a possible bridge between shelter and permanent independence.
“Every child deserves a home. And every parent deserves the chance to build one.”
Why United Way Supports Family Promise
Family Promise operates with just 1.75 staff and a $150,000 annual budget—with no government funding. Everything they do is powered by local donors, foundations, and partners like United Way.
We support Family Promise because they keep families whole. They preserve dignity. They offer safety, hope, and a path forward.
“My kids remember a hard time—but they remember it with happiness. That’s what Family Promise gave us.”
Together, We Keep Families Strong
When you support United Way Grays Harbor, you help ensure families don’t
have to choose between staying sheltered, or staying together.
United is the Way
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