Our Story

The Beginning

Karen Olson was rushing to a business meeting when she passed a homeless woman on the street. On impulse, Karen bought her a sandwich.

The woman, Millie, accepted the sandwich but asked for something more — a chance to be heard. Karen stayed with Millie and listened.

What she heard made her understand that homelessness brought Profound feelings of diminished self-worth and disconnection from society.

Soon after, Karen and her two sons began delivering lunches to homeless people on the streets of New York.

The First Network

When Karen learned that homelessness was affecting families right in her own community in New Jersey, she knew she had to do something. But this was much more than giving sandwiches.

She brought together people in need and people who wanted to help. Existing community resources could provide shelter, meals, and housing. Volunteers could use their skills, knowledge, and compassion to help their homeless neighbors find employment, reconnect with society, and restore their dignity.

She approached the religious community. Congregations offered hospitality space within their buildings. The YMCA provided showers and a family Day Center. A car dealer discounted a van. The first interfaith hospitality network opened on October 27, 1986.

Going National

As word spread, more New Jersey congregations formed a second network. Other congregations were inspired to develop similar programs. In 1988, we formed the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to bring the program nationwide.

In addition to shelter, meals, housing, and job-seeking support, our Affiliates began developing programs for transitional housing, childcare, and homelessness prevention. Nationally, we added programs like Just Neighbors and Family Mentoring.

Point of Light Recipient

In 1992, Family Promise was honored to receive one of 21 Points of Light awards, out of a field of more than 4,500 nominees, by President and Barbara Bush, signifying Family Promise as one of the top volunteer agencies in the country. The award recognizes how one neighbor can help another, and calls upon the nation to take action in service to our fellow citizens.

Becoming Family Promise

National Family Promise changed their name, from the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to Family Promise, to reflect our broad range of programs and our vision of ending family homelessness.

The name refers to the promise, in the sense of commitment, which communities make to families in need. But it also refers to the promise, the potential, inherent in every family.

We Organize Locally

A community meeting, spearheaded by Kathleen Wagner, was held in May of 2016, to educate the community about the program and gauge interest. From that first meeting, a team of dedicated volunteers diligently worked to make Family Promise a reality in Ontario County.  

Our Doors Open

On September 18, 2018 Family Promise of Ontario County became a reality, joining the more than 200 Family Promise affiliates successfully operating across the country. Volunteers from host congregations throughout Ontario County took turns providing overnight lodging, meals and hospitality at their facilities. Temple Beth-El of Geneva served as our temporary Day Center. 

In June 2019, we moved to the former Rectory of St. John's Episcopal Church in Canandaigua which became our permanent Day Center.

Our Model Changes

In March 2020 the COVID-19 crisis forced Family Promise to abandon the rotational shelter model due to shelter-in-place mandates. In order for families to continue to receive support, Family Promise of Ontario County collaborated with landlords in Canandaigua and Geneva to place families in unoccupied apartments using emergency grants to cover rent.

Expanding our Capacity

On November 8, 2023 the Canandaigua City Planning Commission approved a plan to renovate a historical building at 495 N. Main Street, Canandaigua for an emergency shelter. 

On January 2025 we broke ground on a new family shelter, marking a major step forward in our ability to serve families facing homelessness. Opening in Fall 2025, the shelter will allow us to provide 24/7 support and significantly expand the number of families we can house at one time.

Learn more about our shelter campaign.