A New Chapter Begins

Family Promise Union County (FPUC) is where Family Promise got its start. It was founded in 1988 by Summit resident Karen Olson after she discovered that families experiencing homelessness in her community lacked an appropriate support network. What began as a local effort rooted in compassion and community grew into a national movement that today includes Family Promise locations in nearly every state and serves tens of thousands of families each year.

For decades, FPUC has operated under the national office while remaining a leading service provider in the region. Its comprehensive programs and compassionate housing solutions including homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, affordable housing, and long-term stabilization, have made a lasting difference for families across Union County.

In January, FPUC completed a planned step forward to become its own independent 501(c)(3) organization. This milestone reflects the organization’s growth, stability, and leadership, and it allows both Family Promise Union County and Family Promise National to focus even more intentionally on their respective missions.

Alongside this change, a board of directors for FPUC, composed of local leaders with deep community knowledge and expertise, has been established. This group will help shape FPUC’s strategic direction, foster strong local partnerships, and ensure the organization remains closely attuned to the needs of families in the region.

This new chapter follows another significant moment - late last year, the organization moved into its new home at 905 Watchung Avenue in Plainfield, a space that includes offices, meeting areas for staff and families, and two low-income apartments.

We are excited for what lies ahead. For Family Promise Union County, independence brings greater flexibility and priority to respond to local needs. For Family Promise National, it enhances our ability to support a growing network of locations across the country - all united by a shared commitment to ensuring families facing a housing crisis have access to safe, stable homes.

We are deeply grateful to Karen Olson for her vision, to the many staff, board members, volunteers, and partners who have carried this work forward for more than three decades, and to all of you who share our belief that every family deserves a safe place to call home.

Co-authored by: Peter Jacob, Executive Director, Family Promise Union County and

Cheryl Schuch, Chief Executive Officer, Family Promise National