Exciting News for Family Promise of the Jersey Shore

A new name and visual identity mark inspiring next chapter for the Ocean County nonprofit

STAFFORD, NJ – Family Promise of Southern Ocean County (FPSOC) is delighted to announce its new name. The local affiliate of the national Family Promise organization is now Family Promise of the Jersey Shore (FPJS). “Unveiling the new name is a defining moment for our organization. This change will allow us to present ourselves more clearly and represent our commitment to serving all the Jersey Shore. The need for emergency shelter and preventative services has grown exponentially. We decided now was the right time to expand our geographic footprint and in turn, change our name, “ stated Elizabeth Golla, Executive Director of Family Promise of the Jersey Shore. As local families continue to struggle with both homelessness and economic uncertainty in the greater Ocean County community, FPJS has recognized the need and expanded.

FPJS continuously works to meet the need for assistance in our community. This includes taking steps to prevent homelessness by providing emergency shelter, graduate support services and community initiatives including tenancy preparation, financial literacy and virtual career pathway training.

“FPJS will continue to be a resource for not only those in need in Southern Ocean County, but also families struggling across the Jersey Shore as a whole,” emphasized Golla. “The name change will allow for outreach and collaboration in the greater community. Additionally, it will provide opportunities to apply for funding to help support our mission,” stated Board Chair, Roberta Rapisardi, M.S.Ed, CPS.

Board Vice-Chair, Joe Stroffolino stated, "I have been a board member since 2019. Since then, the need for FPJS’s services has sadly grown as other organizations have not been able to continue offering similar services. This prompted Elizabeth Golla, our Executive Director to address the need and provide our services in Northern Ocean County as well.”

Along with a new name, a refreshed look will also be unveiled, bringing vibrancy and awareness in hopes of spreading FPJS’s mission. FPJS is eager to share the brand refresh and looks forward to continuing to grow and serve alongside the members of the Jersey Shore community.

To learn more, volunteer or donate to Family Promise of the Jersey Shore, please visit: www.familypromisejerseyshore.org.

About Family Promise of the Jersey Shore

Family Promise of the Jersey Shore strives to help families experiencing homelessness and economic uncertainty to achieve sustainable independence through prevention programs, advocacy and community support services. To learn more, visit www.familypromisejerseyshore.org or call 609-994-3317.

Family Promise of Southern Ocean County receives $30,000 following Causeway 5K

The funds will be used toward food, clothing, toiletries and prevention services for local families in need.

MANAHAWKIN, NJ – A family of five was about to be evicted from their Ocean Acres home. They didn’t know who to turn to for help, so they googled support services and found Family Promise of Southern Ocean County. The nonprofit was able to assist them so they can remain in their home and start a new chapter.

With inflation at record highs and the cost of living even higher, stories like this are happening all too often. Thankfully, through a generous donation, Family Promise of Southern Ocean County can continue helping even more families in need.

The local nonprofit was recently presented with a $30,000 donation following the 5th Annual Causeway CARes 5K, presented by Causeway Family of Dealerships and Causeway CARes.

The event, held on October 16th at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin, raised $30,000. David C. Wintrode, President of Causeway Family of Dealerships/Causeway CARes graciously matched that amount, bringing the grand total to $60,000. All event proceeds were donated to Fulfill and Family Promise of Southern Ocean County.

“We carefully selected Fulfill and Family Promise of Southern Ocean County as this year’s 5K beneficiaries because both organizations are on a mission to battle hunger and homelessness in Ocean County, which is something that Causeway cares deeply about,” said Wintrode.

Fulfill has been a 5K beneficiary since the race’s inception five years ago. The nonprofit’s mission is to alleviate hunger and build food security in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and make sure that all people at all times have access to enough nutritious food to maintain an active and healthy life.

This year, Family Promise of Southern Ocean County was also selected as a 5K beneficiary. Its mission is to partner with communities to guide homeless children and their families toward achieving sustainable independence.

Joe Stroffolino, Race Director/Director of Advertising and Marketing, Causeway Cars/Causeway CARes, is a board member for both nonprofits. “I felt a strong obligation to drastically increase our sponsor count,” he said. “We successfully went from 47 sponsors in 2021 in support of Fulfill to 80 sponsors by adding Family Promise of Southern Ocean County as our second beneficiary this year.”

Elizabeth Golla, Executive Director of Family Promise of Southern Ocean County, says, “The funding that Causeway CARes generously provided to Family Promise of Southern Ocean County will not only continue to help us provide food, clothing and toiletries, it will also help us to provide prevention services for families.”

Family Promise of Southern Ocean County steps in where applicable to help meet families in the midst of the trials they face in order to assist them with paying back rent, back mortgage and utilities. “We also help fix vehicles so that individuals can get to work and that will hopefully prevent them from being homeless in the first place,” Golla added.

Since Fulfill is able to provide food security, Family Promise of Southern Ocean County is able to utilize its funding to help individuals and families before homelessness occurs.

In 2021, Family Promise of Southern Ocean County was able to assist over 1,500 individuals. About 60 percent of that was prevention. “We recently started expanding into all of Ocean County because the need is so high,” said Golla. “In 2022, we have already hit those numbers and the year is not over yet.”

So far in 2022, the nonprofit has provided 3,000 nights of shelter through motels and local churches. In 2021, it assisted with 1,898 bed nights.

Today, Family Promise of Southern Ocean County is in need for funding and partners to support local families by providing shelter.

“We have a waiting list of 20 families that are in desperate need of shelters,” Golla said. “This is why prevention is so important. We are able to provide a variety of strategies to ensure the people we serve do not fall into the cycle of housing instability that can devastate families and alter the course of children’s lives. Prevention literally is a lifeline to stabilize housing for those who are at risk of becoming homeless.”

Pictured from left: David Wintrode, President of Causeway Family of Dealerships/Causeway CARes; John Garofalo, Family Promise of Southern Ocean County Board Member; Kellie Piaskowski, Case Manager at Family Promise of Southern Ocean County; Elizabeth Golla, Executive Director of Family Promise of Southern Ocean County, and Joe Stroffolino, Race Director/Director of Advertising and Marketing, Causeway Cars/Causeway CARes.

To learn more or to donate to Family Promise of Southern Ocean County, please visit https://www.familypromisesoc.org.

About Family Promise of Southern Ocean County

Family Promise of Southern Ocean County strives to help families experiencing homelessness and economic uncertainty to achieve sustainable independence through prevention programs, advocacy and community support services. To learn more, visit https://www.familypromisesoc.org or call 609-994-3317.

What is Housing Insecurity?

Housing insecurity is a term being thrown around a lot lately. We hear it on the news, read about it in articles, and are being told how the pandemic is affecting it. But what does it mean, who does it affect, and what can you do about it?

What is Housing Insecurity?

Housing insecurity is the lack of security caused by high housing costs relative to income, poor housing quality, unstable neighborhoods, or overcrowding. Right now, we’re seeing an increase in housing insecurity due to high housing costs especially, which is when housing expenses take up more than 30% of a households monthly income(1).

Who is Affected by Housing Insecurity?

Housing insecurity can affect anyone, but disproportionately affect lower income families, as they often have to pay higher proportions of their income on high cost rent. During the pandemic crisis, lost wages and increased unemployment has made it harder for households to pay rent and bills (2). This has been compounded by an increase in housing costs and fewer homes and apartments on the market has made it difficult for many to find affordably priced housing (3).

What Does Housing Insecurity Look Like?

Housing Insecurity, like food insecurity, can look like many different things. It can mean living in a home with too many people sharing a space, or a home that has no heating in the winter. It can mean moving to new houses or apartments every few months, or sharing one home with another family. Most seriously, housing insecurity means experiencing homelessness, which can be living in shelters or cars, couch surfing, or living outdoors in a tent. You may have people in your life who are facing housing insecurity, and you could never know.

What Can I Do if I am Experiencing Housing Insecuring?

If you are experiencing housing insecurity, there are a variety of programs to assist you, including Family Promise of Southern Ocean County’s Anchors to Stay Prevention Program. This program provides financial aid on rent, mortgage, or security deposit payments for eligible families across Ocean County. Call us at (609) 994-3317 if you are in need of assistance.

How Can You Help?

The fastest and easiest way to help families who are experiencing housing insecurity is to support organizations in your area that work with those in need, like Family Promise. Since we launched our Anchors to Stay Prevention Program just six months ago, we have helped over 89 families in Ocean County get access to affordable housing, and we’re predicting the need to continue to grow. Families experiencing housing insecurity in Ocean County need help from people like you, and you can support us here.