About Us
Family Promise of WNY is a cost-efficient, effective, and replicable community
response to homelessness. We bring together existing community resources, especially
faith congregations to assist us with our mission.
Family Promise of WNY is committed to keeping families together during their time of homelessness.
Most emergency shelters separate men and women, which increases the stress of their situation. Family
Promise is one of only three emergency shelter providers in Erie County that solely focuses on keeping families
together during the crisis of homelessness. We do this through the
following core services:
Host & Support Sites
Our 13 Host Congregations and over 30 Support Congregations provide lodging, meals and hospitality for our families in need.
Each day begins with breakfast at a Host Congregation, provided by volunteers. At the end of the day, the guests return to the
Host Congregation where volunteers provide dinner and support. The evening hours are relaxation times, as they would be for any family.
The day ends with the family, together under one roof. Host sites shelter up to three families in its building for one week at a time, four times per year.
Our Current Host Sites:
| St. Christopher RC |
Infant of Prague RC |
Orchard Park Presbyterian |
SS. Columba-Brigid |
Hamburg United Methodist |
| Grace Lutheran |
Unitarian Universalist |
Akron First United Methodist |
Life Church |
| Grace Wesleyan |
Crossroads Lutheran |
Clarence United Methodist |
St. Matthias Episcopal |
Day Center
Our network van transports our guest families to our Day Center where they can receive mail,
catch the school bus, and get ready to head to work. The Day Center provides guests with a home-like
environment where they have access to laundry facilities, shower, kitchen, phone, and internet to
seek out employment, housing, day care, and other benefits to get started on the path toward self-sufficiency.
Volunteer Engagement
Volunteers are the heart of Family Promise of WNY and are essential to our success. Over 500 volunteers
are currently involved with Family Promise of WNY, working on behalf of the host and support congregations
providing services such as such as cooking and serving meals, playing with children, helping with homework,
and just being there for families showing them compassion, respect, and sharing a sence of community.
Case Management & Follow-Up
Support services are provided by a professional Case Manager to help families link to needed services
such as finding housing, jobs and benefits. Once a family leaves Family Promise of WNY, they are never alone.
Family Promise of WNY stays in contact with families for as long as they need support.
Family Promise of WNY Brochure
Staff
Jim Tamol
Executive Director
Email:
jtamol@fpwny.org
Megan Bingham
Community Partnership Coordinator
Email:
Megan@fpwny.org
Alex Deitz
Administrative Assistant
Email:
Alex@fpwny.org
Martin Lewars
Van Driver
Board of Directors
Marilyn Sozanski
President
James Bennett, Esq.
Vice President
Douglas Fitzgerald, CPA
Treasurer
Sandy Seitz
Secretary
Anthony Battaglia
Sue Buttino
Mary Lou Dietrich
Linda Eaton
Lee Evans
Jeridith Nolan
Mark Robson
Yunus Kumek
Whitney Kemp
Carrie Smith
Malinda Tolbert
Laura Genco
Jessica Miller