Family Promise Essex is dedicated to providing a safe environment for our FPE guest families, congregations, volunteers, and staff. We have provided extensive training about how to prevent and contain COVID-19. While we are continuing to serve our families, we have made modifications to our program to ensure the safety and health of the community (last updated 2.1.2021).
- Our Youth and Family and After School Programs have been suspended in person until they can be safely resumed. We are currently operating our After School tutoring program virtually.
- Our families currently in our Emergency Shelter Program will continue to stay at the hotels with food gift cards provided. In addition to those who are dropping off food, our staff will be checking in with the families multiple times a day. The families have also been given phone numbers to call should they have any questions or concerns.
- For the families currently in our Emergency Shelter Program, we are working as quickly as possible to expedite permanent housing placements.
- As of today, we do not anticipate using the rotational shelter system in any congregation until it is safe for all involved to do so.
- Our offices located in Central Presbyterian Church are open by appointment only. Staff will be working remotely on alternating schedules to limit the amount of people in the office.
- We have postponed all in person fundraising events for the time being.
Staff members are available via email should you need any assistance. We also care deeply about our FPE volunteers, particularly those who are most at risk from the virus. If you are a current volunteer and need a food delivery of your own or other help during this crisis time, please contact us at info@fpessexnj.org. At FPE, we like to look out for those who help take care of our families. While we cannot promise we can meet all needs, if we can help, we will. We will provide you with further updates as they arise. The need to pay for food and shelter for the families still in our program and the continuation of staff responsibilities, without government dollars coming in or fundraisers being held is a real concern. If you can send a donation to FPE in lieu of volunteering, we would be incredibly grateful. Every dollar counts. We promise to provide you with further updates as they arise. Please stay safe and healthy!
