The city of Dunwoody has awarded Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb a $50,000 grant to help offset costs the organization incurred in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The money is part of $400,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding the city council approved for Dunwoody’s Vulnerable Population Program. The program provides grants to local not-for-profits that serve people affected by the pandemic.
Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb plans to use the money to cover families’ expenses for hotel rooms, childcare services, and enhanced cleaning.
“We appreciate the support of the Dunwoody City Council,” said Andrea Brantley, executive director of Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb. “We could not continue to fulfill our mission without the help and support of the local communities we serve.
“This has been a challenging year for everyone, and our neighbors undergoing situational homelessness have also faced the struggles of the pandemic,” Brantley added. “Even amid a pandemic, situational homelessness remains a crisis in our community, and we won’t slow our push to help every family in need.”
Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb works with more than two dozen congregations in metro Atlanta to find permanent housing for families. In 2019, the chapter helped more than 80 families, and as a result, 178 children and 85 adults, mostly single mothers, have a place to call home.
The organization has remained busy during the pandemic. In July, Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb worked with Midas Alpharetta and 1-800-Charity Cars to donate refurbished cars at no cost to a pair of families rebounding from situational homelessness.
Earlier this month, the Atlanta Braves Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb. The grant will support Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb’s rotational shelter program.
At their Oct. 26 meeting, the Dunwoody City Council approved $50,000 grants for seven other organizations. “When I look at the list, I’m overwhelmed by the amount of care these organizations have given our community,” Dunwoody City Councilman John Heneghan said during the meeting.
“This may be the best thing we’ve done all year in a lot of ways,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said.
For more information, visit FamilyPromiseNFD.org.