History
OUR NATIONAL HISTORY
Family Promise, formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network, was founded by Karen Olson in 1986 in New Jersey after encountering a homeless woman on the streets of neighboring ew York. On impulse, Karen bought her a sandwich. The woman, Millie, accepted the sandwich but asked for something more — a chance to be heard. Karen stayed with Millie and listened. What she heard made her understand that homelessness brought profound feelings of diminished self-worth and disconnection from society. Realizing she had to do something, Karen approached the religious community for help. Congregations offered hospitality space within their buildings. The YMCA provided showers and a family Day Center. A car dealer discounted a van. The first interfaith hospitality network opened on October 27, 1986, providing connection and services through authentic hospitality.
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As word spread, more New Jersey congregations formed a second network. Other congregations were inspired to develop similar programs. In 1988, we formed the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to bring the program nationwide. In addition to shelter, meals, housing, and job-seeking support, our Affiliates began developing programs for transitional housing, childcare, and homelessness prevention. Nationally, we added programs like Just Neighbors and Family Mentoring.
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In 2003, a name change occurred, from the National Interfaith Hospitality Network to Family Promise, to reflect our broad range of programs and our vision of ending family homelessness. The name refers to the promise, in the sense of commitment, which communities make to families in need. But it also refers to the promise, the potential, inherent in every family. Family Promise now has over 100 affiliates throughout the United States, serving families from all walks of life and backgrounds. The national mission is simple- Family Promise prevents and ends homelessness for families with children and helps them achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
2003: IHN OF ALBUQUERQUE OPENS
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Albuquerque began shelter services. With only six congregations to start a rotational shelter IHN Albuquerque began serving families. This meant that every seventh week a congregation hosted families. Shortly after the start , IHN Albuquerque grew to 12 congregations. Making a more realistic rotational model with congregations hosting once a quarter rather than every six weeks. At the time we were utilizing office space for our day center in the basement of First Congregational UCC on the Corner of Lomas and Girard.
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2010: WE BECOME FAMILY PROMISE OF ALBUQUERQUE
We change our name, from Interfaith Hospitality Network of Albuquerque to Family Promise of Albuquerque, to reflect our affiliation with the national office and the broad range of programs aligned with our vision of ending family homelessness. The name refers to the promise, in the sense of commitment, which communities make to families in need. But it also refers to the promise, the potential, inherent in every family.
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2015: NEW DAY CENTER
We move our day center from the basement First Congregational UCC to Second Presbyterian Church at 808 Edith Blvd NE. This move allows us to be above ground where we were able to get better cell and internet signals so that families were able to have less challenges looking for employment, attending on line classes, and applying for amenities.
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2021: SAN PEDRO BUILDING PURCHASE
Family Promise of Albuquerque turned 18 in 2021 and with that comes more responsibility. With the assistance of our donors and the Texas Methodist Foundation we were able to purchase the property at at 1516 San Pedro Drive NE. This building was intended to house our static site shelter and our day center, doubling the number of families that are served in the shelter portion of our program. This purchase was a milestone achievement for our organization and the communities we serve. While it was not meant to be our home due to rising costs of renovation and construction, our dream was simply deferred, not denied.
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2025: Transition and A New Promise
2025 brought about a leadership change with the arrival of new members to the Board of Directors and a new Executive Director. This re-ignited the spark of continued forward progress and a new promise for Family Promise of Albuquerque and the families we serve. Family Promise sold the property at 1516 San Pedro and entered into a partnership with Bernalillo County's new Affordable Housing Division, under the Economic Development Division, with the intention of making the dream of our own shelter site a reality. After being awarded funds from the county, utilizing funds from the San Pedro sale and generous donations from supporters from near and far, Family Promise placed an offer on a set of properties in the International District of Albuquerque where we can renovate to create a shelter and day center of our own design, keeping the families we serve along with the volunteers who are the backbone of our organization at the heart of the project.
