SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. — Family Promise of Skagit Valley, a nonprofit in Sedro-Woolley, provides temporary housing for homeless families at churches.
But with the governor’s "stay home, stay healthy" order not considering churches as "essential businesses," the nonprofit organization is running into problems.
“Many of our churches shut down,” said Family Promise Executive Director Audrea Woll.
Churches were among the organizations affected when Gov. Jay Inslee banned large gatherings. Houses of worship were not included as "essential business" that could continue operating when the governor later issued the stay-at-home order.
Woll said the nonprofit's day center at Bethlehem Lutheran Church normally provides families with food and other services. But with many of their other church partners closed, the day center has now turned into an overnight shelter, with limited space.
“We have people calling on our wait list saying, ‘Can you just find me something?’ And we do our best, we do searches, we see who’s got openings,” Woll said. “The one I heard last week that really got to me was ‘Can you just tell me a safe place I can park? I just want to know that I’m safe when I park.’ It’s really hard.”
Social Distancing guidelines also caused them to cancel the organization's yearly fundraiser.
“$16,000 to $20,000 dollars comes in from that and helps pay for our staffing,” Woll said.
Family Promise is still providing meals, housing and services, just without volunteers and while working long hours.
“We’re out here, we’re screening people, we’re accepting donations and giving donations and spending sometimes 68 hours a week here through the day center,” she said.
One thing that won’t change is their dedication to helping families, Woll said.
“Right now, we have a lot of uncertainty going on, and one thing that’s for sure, is our families are still hurting out there. We need to wrap around them. There are kids out there that needs us,” she said. “We’re just going to continue adapting and figuring out new ways that we can love on these families and their kids.”
Family Promise has set up a link on their website to donate.