Morristown's Family Promise: Housing Leads To Success

Editor's note: Patch is withholding Christina's last name to protect the privacy of her daughters

MORRISTOWN, NJ—In 2019, Christina R. was caught in the same predicament that many lower-income parents find themselves in—working two jobs while trying to raise two daughters, the single mom was still in financial trouble.

"I was actually living in a hotel at the time," she said. "And I was on the verge of losing my jobs because I was paying for the hotel."

Compounding the problem, Christina didn't have a car, so she was forced to take a bus or an Uber to work. Friends suggested she reach out to Family Promise, a Morristown nonprofit that specializes in helping families who are without shelter or are in danger of losing their homes achieve sustainable independence.

"We assist families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness," said Dominique Tornabe, Family Promise's Chief Impact Officer, about the organization's philosophy. "We don't use homeless as an adjective."

Tornabe said the average time for a family to stay at the shelter is about nine months. She added that most people without a home are not chronically unable to find shelter, but have simply fallen on hard times.

Christina called Family Promise and spoke with Laura Giorgi, the Director of Housing Programs. After the conversation, Christina said she finally felt like she had some support.

"I didn't have anyone to reach out to besides her," Christina said, "I was working hard, I was working two jobs. She could tell I was going to lose my jobs and not be able to pay for the hotel."

Christina said Giorgi was her support as soon as she walked in the door. Giorgi began to arrange for a small amount of assistance that would give Christina some financial breathing room.

"She was really rooting for me," Christina said, "she was very consistent with helping me."

Christina continued to struggle for two more months and then finally, in July 2019, she lost her jobs. She began to visit Our Promise, the Family Promise Drop-in Center, a facility that provides an address for people to get their mail and other necessities.

"She was really struggling," said Giorgi, "so we just tried to be a support for her."

As 2020 dawned, Christina found herself on welfare, and knew that she would begin the cycle of basic expenses eating up all of the money she earned once she got another job. She had been down that road previously, and was worried that the family would end up back there. To compound matters, her six-year-old daughter has a health condition.

"We were in a shelter before," Christina said, "there was a lot of drug use, and it wasn't suitable. Me and my kids were very scared to go back to a shelter."

She added that her daughter's doctor agreed that a shelter environment was not healthy for any of them, especially the six-year-old.

"It was constantly a struggle that I couldn't get out of," Christina said, "I was so stressed, and my kids fathers do not help at all."

Last February, she received a call from Giorgi about a letter from Morris County's Housing Authority granting her an interview.

"I had asked Laura to put me on a fair housing list," Christina said, "and she would always keep me updated, she would reassure me that she wasn't going to forget."

Christina said it was hard for her to trust anyone at that time, because of her previous experiences with shelters and promises that were made and not kept. But, she said, Georgi and Family Promise seemed different.

"We house people and success will come," Georgi said. "We don't say, 'you have to do x, y, and z first.' No, we house you and then you will be successful."

Just before her housing interview at the end of February, Georgi called with more great news. Christina came up on Family Promise's list for housing assistance, too. Suddenly, she had a choice between two different apartments, something she wouldn't have dreamed of before.

"It took me one day [to accept]" Christina said. "The reason why I chose Family Promise was, unlike Morris County housing, Family Promise has counseling. They have an extensive staff that really work with you."

Christina was invited to look at the apartment in western Morris County. As soon as she and her younger daughter walked into the place, she knew it was a fit.

"Her face just lit up," Christina said, "and she started calling it home. At that moment, I started to tear up and the case manager with me was tearing up, too."

Christina was able to pay a share of the deposit and other expenses, and the family moved into the new apartment in March. She is now able to take care of her kids in a safe, clean place, and is considering going back to school.

"We are really doing well, despite covid," Christina said. She added that the pandemic has prevented her from doing some of the one-on-one case management and other goals she had. "It's been a kind of back-and-forth, but it's definitely been a lot better."

Christina said Family Promise has continued to help her, including food drop-offs and other assistance. She said it has created a sense of happiness, peace, and gratitude that was lacking before. One recent afternoon in particular stands out in Christina's mind.

"I was sitting on my steps and the kids were playing outside in the leaves," she said. "Fall is our favorite season, and I'm making cookies and doing things I wasn't able to do a few months ago. I picked up my phone and just emailed them a thank you. Because if it wasn't for them I don't know where I would be. They really believe in me still, to this day."