Family Promise of Southern Chester County is fighting homelessness by helping families facing hard times to stay together, writes Steven Hoffman for the Chester County Press.

Homelessness is a growing problem in Chester County. The number of people who have experienced it has more than doubled in the last three years. This includes the elderly, disabled, and children.

Since its initiation in late 2015, Family Promise of Southern Chester County has become one of the local organizations leading the effort to fight area homelessness.

“We have children, we have babies, who are sleeping in cars,” said Susan Minarchi, the executive director of Family Promise of Southern Chester County. “That’s not right.”

Family Promise provides help to children and their families by making it easier for them to achieve lasting self-sufficiency and stability. A network of volunteers at church congregations provides meals and shelters.

In Chester County, 13 churches host up to four families once every 13 weeks with volunteers from other churches serving as a support system.

“We give families a hand up, not a hand out,” said Minarchi. “Every family is different, and every family’s needs are different.”

Read more about Family Promise of Southern Chester County in the Chester County Press here.

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