The Core Group of Family Promise of Irving met on Monday, January 30, 2012 and voted to accept 10 candidates that were presented for membership on the Board of Trustees. The following community leaders are the first Board of Trustees of Family Promise of Irving:

Michelle Burks, PLLC; Mark Carpenter; Dr. Janet Coplin; Dr.

Janet Glenn; Daniel Klein; Angela Lutts, LMSW; Ann Park; Teri Petty; Kathleen Rachele; Rev. Preston Weaver.

As Family Promise of Irving establishes its role in the community, this board will bring the level of leadership needed to affect the lives of families with children experiencing homelessness in Irving.

Board of Trustees of Family Promise of Irving

B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T I E S . S T R E N G T H E N I N G L I V E S .

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS

Applebee’s Pancake BkftBelt Line & 183

(tickets available at Host churches)

March 3, 8a-10a

Aspen Creek4300 W. Airport Frwy.

March 14

Chili’s342l West Airport Freeway

April 11, 10:45a-10:30p

El Chico2305 West Airport Freeway

May 12, 5-11p

Community ChurchYard Sale • 712 Murl Dr.

March 24

Donations Received from these Irving

Churches in the past Quarter

Irving Bible ChurchSt. Stephens Presbyterian ChurchPlymouth Park Church of Christ

Oak Haven UMCHoly Family of Nazareth

First Christian ChurchHackberry Creek Presbyterian Church

The Irving Independent School District is very excited about the opening of Family Promise of Irving in the spring of 2012! Because the Irving community does not currently have a homeless shelter, many families experiencing homelessness must seek shelters in Dallas or surrounding cities. Although the school district provides transportation for these children so they can continue attending the same school, the distance is often a hardship for these families. Additionally, because of the age and gender requirements at several of the homeless shelters, many families are not able to stay together. The Family Promise system allows families to stay together, while also remaining in the Irving community. Furthermore, the case management that will be offered to the families will

help them to get them back on their feet and become self-sufficient again. This is a much needed resource for the Irving community and we look forward to partnering with Family Promise to better serve our students and their families!

Angela Lutts, LMSWInterim Homeless Liaison

Irving Independent School District

Community Response

On 11-11-11, in an effort to raise student-awareness and to raise funds for Family Promise of Irving, more than 170 students from the five Irving ISD high schools experienced sleeping outside in the MacArthur High School athletic field with only blankets and cardboard boxes for shelter in the chilly weather. They stood in line at the soup kitchen, heard from a man who had experienced homelessness and from several Irving social service agencies. By participating in a poverty simulation, the students learned life lessons about budgeting, childcare, transportation costs, time management, etc., and empathy for those who are actually experiencing poverty and homelessness. Teachers, counselors, volunteers from Family Promise of Irving, and other social service agencies were also part of the evening’s activities. The MacArthur High School Student Activit ies Director and Student Counci l Sponsor, Sherry Martinez, said, "I loved this part (poverty simulation)

and so did the kids." Jonathan Toman (Family Promise) and Julia Black (Irving Cares) agreed.

Family Promise of Irving wants to thank our sponsors for the event. TXU provided the kits and trained adult leaders for the poverty simulation. Atmos Energy, as a financial sponsor, provided valuable resources for our program.

Top Fund Raisers:

SCHOOL• Irving High School - $1,218.32

STUDENTS•Andres Alarez, Irving HS - $144.80•Kimberly Ortiz, Irving HS - $133.00•Andrew Arabaiza, Singley HS - $120.00

More than $3,000 raised by Irving ISD

Students

Mark Your Calendar!Gentle Dentistry of Las Colinas

Beat the Heat10K/5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

April 28th

Registration will begin soon!

FPI Organizationinfo@familypromiseirving.org

PO Box 177516Irving, TX 75017-7516

www.familypromiseirving.org

NewestClub 246 Members

Keith & Carrie HoltSteve & Michelle Cottrell

Frank HowardJerry & Ann Park

Brazil Small Group from S. MacArthur Church of Christ

Oak Haven UMCDonna Snider

Craig & Lynette ClevelandShirley ClementMargaret Grant

Robert & Jaclynn GreenfieldGeorge & Mary Hughes

Excitement is growing – Important pieces are being put in place with the goal of accepting families in late April – Early May. A Director Search Committee is processing applications, and interviewing candidates; an extremely able Board has been selected and has begun meeting, with board training scheduled; Volunteer Coordinator Orientations are underway. The vision of more than 20 very committed, compassionate people and the work of 18 months is reaching a new stage. Family Promise of Irving will soon be the newest agency serving families with children experiencing homelessness in the community of Irving. GOALS ACHIEVED

• raised $65,000• recruited 14 Host congregations• established a Board of Trustees

CURRENT NEEDS• 15-passenger, late-model van (less than

75,000 miles)• 16 ft. cargo trailer• hotel quality rollaway beds

If you have a contact that can help us with a donation or greatly reduced cost, please contact:Ann Park, 979-450-8882

MOVING TOWARD OPENING Sun Mon Tues Wed Th Fri Sat

31! 32 33 34 ! 35 36 37

38 39 40 41! 42 43 44

45 46 47 48! 49 50 51

52 53 54 55 56 57 58

59! 60 61

Join

Clu

b 2

46 a

nd C

olor

th

e D

ays

Blu

e

Upcoming MeetingsVolunteer Coordinator Orientation

February 27 • 6:30-8:30 pm

Reception for New Board Members/Core GroupFebruary 28 • 7 pm • Irving Church of Christ

In Memory of Rob TestsMr. & Mrs. Gerald R. Brewster

In Memory of Nell MurrayJerry & Ann Park

In Memory of Laurie EgelandLorene KernsBetti Gregory

In Memory of Pete BrewsterJerry & Helen RoseMr. & Mrs. J. M. MorganGaye FreemanIrving Book Review ClubJane HetheringtonMr. & Mrs. Mark CarpenterBrian & Leisa Griffin

Jerry & Nancy PettyMr. & Mrs. Buddy BrownCharlotte BrewsterMr. & Mrs. Patrick KernanJeff & Linda LeeGeorge & Regina StoryDr. & Mrs. Ben W. Thomas

In M

emor

y of

:

For the cost of only $246 (or $20.50 per month), you can become a Club 246 member and help Family Promise of Irving make a difference in the lives of families experiencing homelessness. $246 is the cost of operating Family Promise of Irving for one day.

To participate, complete and mail this form to: Family Promise of Irving—Club 246 P.O. Box 177516Irving TX 75017-7516

Club 246 Membership

Name____________________________________________________Phone____________________________

Address_____________________________________________City/St ___________________ Zip__________

Place of Worship ____________________________________________________________________________

Email _____________________________________________________________________________________

I am enclosing $246 at this time (or other amount $__________________)

Signature:______________________________________________________Date________________________

P.O. Box 177516, Irv ing, TX 75017

Ending Homelessness

- one family at a time