WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Who We Are

Family Promise Winchester Area is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in faith-based and interfaith support. We are committed to serving families with children or who are expecting a child, and who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Our work focuses on helping families remain safely housed or move quickly into stable, long-term housing.

While our organization is grounded in strong partnerships with local faith communities, Family Promise Winchester Area is inclusive and welcoming of all families. Services are provided without regard to religious affiliation, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, or background.

Our work is guided by a community-based approach. We collaborate closely with faith communities, nonprofit organizations, schools, service providers, and other community partners to respond to family homelessness with coordination, compassion, and practical support.

We take a child-centered approach, recognizing that housing instability has lasting impacts on children’s well-being, education, and development. Our programs are designed to provide short-term assistance that stabilizes families while supporting long-term housing solutions.

Who We Serve

Family Promise Winchester Area defines family through the eyes of the child and serves families of all compositions and identities. We welcome and support families regardless of household structure or caregiving arrangement.

Our services are available to families with minor children, or those expecting a child, who live in Winchester City, Frederick County, Warren County, or Clarke County.

What we do

Family Promise Winchester Area provides short-term assistance and stabilization services to help families with children secure and maintain safe, stable housing. Our programs are designed to address housing challenges at different points, from preventing eviction to helping families move into long-term housing. Program availability and assistance levels depend on need and available resources.

Eviction Prevention

Eviction Prevention provides short-term financial assistance to help families remain in their current housing when they are experiencing a temporary financial hardship. This may include help with past-due rent or an upcoming rent payment when timely assistance can realistically prevent eviction and stabilize housing.

Shelter Diversion

Shelter Diversion helps families move directly into stable, long-term housing and avoid entering shelter. Assistance may include help with first month’s rent, security deposits, or other move-in costs, paired with short-term case management to help families successfully transition into housing they can sustain.

Shelter Program

The Shelter Program provides short-term emergency housing for families experiencing homelessness. Shelter is intended as a temporary intervention and is paired with active case management and exit planning to support a quick transition into permanent housing or stable self-funded housing.

Supportive Financial Assistance

In addition to housing programs, Family Promise Winchester Area offers limited financial assistance to help families remove barriers that are preventing them from maintaining housing or employment. These supports may be available to families who meet basic program criteria and are working toward housing stability.

Supportive assistance may include:

Vehicle Repair Assistance
Help with necessary vehicle repairs, up to $500, when transportation is required for work, school, or housing stability.
Licensing, Registration, and Past Fees
Assistance with driver’s licensing fees, vehicle registration, or certain past-due tax-related fees, up to $250, when these costs are preventing employment or housing stability.
Before- and After-School Care Assistance
Financial assistance of up to $300 to help cover the cost of before- or after-school programs. This support is intended to help parents maintain employment, stabilize schedules, and ensure children are safely cared for while parents are working.
Transportation Support
Bus passes or other transportation assistance, as available, to support access to work, school, housing appointments, or services.

Supportive financial assistance is provided when it aligns with a family’s stabilization plan and when funding is available.

What Families Can Expect

Families who engage with Family Promise Winchester Area can expect:

A consistent and fair screening process
Clear communication regarding available services
Respectful, professional, and compassionate interaction

Our commitment is to serve families with dignity and transparency while responsibly stewarding limited resources to support as many families as possible.