Groundbreaking renovations to Family Promise of Western New York

Expanding shelter to benefit families experiencing homelessness

Family Promise of Western New York, an emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness, has broken ground on critical upgrades to its shelter facility, which will allow the program to double in capacity. Improvements will include major capital upgrades to the building, including a fire safety system, new family units and additional bathrooms.

The work is expected to be completed this spring by Lamparelli Construction Co. Plans are underway for an open house this summer to celebrate this milestone.

“Our shelter is poised to become a safer, more stable and more comfortable environment for our families,” said Luanne Firestone, executive director of Family Promise of WNY. “Expanding our shelter will allow us to address the critical lack of family shelter space in Erie County. We thank the donors and foundations who have made this project possible!”

Funding has been secured from New York state, as well as major foundations including the John R. Oishei Foundation, the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, and the Garman Family Foundation through the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.

“Family Promise of Western New York fills a unique need for families in crisis,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein. “This shelter represents one of only two in Erie County that can house homeless families, so it’s especially gratifying to see a project to improve the existing facility and double its capacity.”

Family Promise of WNY is a 501(c)(3) organization that partners with hundreds of donors and volunteers annually to live its mission of keeping families experiencing homelessness together by offering emergency housing and compassionate support as clients work to find their way back home. Since 1996, FPWNY has provided emergency shelter, case management and preventative referral services all while keeping families together.

For more information on Family Promise of Western New York, contact Lu Firestone at 716-771-3007 or email [email protected].