Trinity Park is proud to have a wide array of housing types, including large historic homes, small single-family homes, multi-family homes, and apartments of various kinds, including Section 8 housing. This year’s Home Tour did a great job of showing some of this diversity. Since the Tour’s focus is on housing, the TPNA Board wanted to donate some of the Tour’s proceeds to a local organization that helps people in need of stable housing. We chose Families Moving Forward (FMF).
Board member Mimi Kessler spoke with Anna Krecklow, FMF’s Interim Development Director & Volunteer Engagement Coordinator about FMF’s operations and current needs. FMF helps provide families with children a stable, safe, and loving environment while they are in the temporary crisis of homelessness. FMF can house up to 20 families in their facility on Queen St., and there is always a waiting list. The goal is for families to move into permanent housing within 90 days. However, with the current housing shortage, many have had to stay longer because they cannot find an affordable place.
FMF provides important services for their guests while they are in shelter. FMF social workers help families set their own goals for the future, including job/housing/financial planning. For adults, FMF provides job skills assessments, help in securing employment, and help with placement in a safe home. For children, FMF provides developmental and educational assessments, as well as tutoring.
FMF utilizes volunteers in a variety of ways, including one-on-one tutoring, childcare, serving dinners, and hosting fun events for the families. To volunteer, use this link: https:// fmfnc.org/volunteers.
FMF receives funding through grants, foundations, individual contributions, and various other sources. The annual Chefs for Change dinner series raises money for FMF. At each event in the series, a distinguished local chef serves an elegant dinner, with the proceeds benefiting Families Moving Forward.
TPNA is proud to be able to donate $5,000 from the proceeds of the Home Tour to this important organization in our community. Please consider them in your charitable giving plan and volunteer to help. For more information, including how to volunteer or to buy tickets for Chefs for Change, see https://fmfnc.org.
