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Work is underway toward an expanded Family Promise of Western New York facility. (Images courtesy of agency)
Work is underway toward an expanded Family Promise of Western New York facility. (Images courtesy of agency)

Family Promise of WNY doubles capacity: Newly renovated shelter to benefit families experiencing homelessness

Submitted

Mon, Jul 13th 2020 12:25 pm

Family Promise of Western New York, an emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness, has completed critical upgrades to its shelter facility and is reopening for intakes in August with double the capacity. This reopening is in anticipation of predicted mass evictions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and unemployment throughout the region. Improvements include private family units, additional bathrooms and a fire safety system.

“We are anticipating mass evictions in the wake of Gov. Cuomo's eviction moratorium being lifted in a few weeks. Our shelter is now a safer and more comfortable environment for our families and we are able to house twice as many 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 and be there for our community in the midst of this global pandemic. We thank the donors and foundations who have made this project possible!”

Funding has been secured from New York as well as major foundations including the John R. Oishei Foundation, the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation and the National Fuel Gas Co. Foundation.

“Family Promise of Western New York fills a unique need for families in crisis,” New York State
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said. “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 offering individual tours through July to showcase this milestone in the organization's history. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Firestone at 716-771-3007 or [email protected].

Family Promise of WNY is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit 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 they work to find their way back home. Since 1996, FPWNY has provided emergency shelter, case management, and preventative referral services all while keeping the family together.

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