BRADENTON -- The Great Mates raised more money to help fight local homelessness at their recent event, and Family Promise is now getting a full-time case worker to help families in need of shelter and public service.
Rev. Bruce Webster directs Manatee County's Family Promise; he is the only full-time staffer for the organization. But after the Bradenton Yacht Club’s Great Mates dedicated their annual fundraising event to help Family Promise, Webster will have a case worker to help him in his work to make a difference for local homeless families.
Family Promise is a network of local congregations organized to help Manatee County’s homeless families with children – children being the key.
Webster said it is lived out as a network of faith communities who, on a rotational basis, provide shelter and meals for the week while they host. Each family is assisted by the staff in finding and implementing lasting solutions to their unique situations.
Its mission is to be part of the solution to end homelessness in Manatee County by helping families in the situation of homelessness regain their independence.
When The Bradenton Times spoke with Webster, prior to the event, he said he was completely surprised when the women of Great Mates presented Family Promise as the non-profit to benefit from the money raised at ”All Dat Jazz“ event.
He was told by the Great Mates that their goal was to raise over $55,000.00 for the organization through the ticket sales, generous donations and auctions the night of the event. This figure was the amount raised the previous year by the ladies.
”We don’t have an exact amount because money is still coming in,“ Webster said over the phone on March 12. ”Although they thought, because of the economy, it was going to be close to $40,000.00. I believe the final amount may be around $56,000.00.“
Webster added that the generosity from the Bradenton Yacht Club was amazing on the night of the event. He said when the Great Mates announced to the members and guests attending ”All Dat Jazz“ that they had come close to what was raised last year, people from the audience said they wanted to top last year's figure and they did.
”I was standing there at the event when they brought me out a big mock check,“ he said. ”So, I have that in my office. I keep looking at that as a reminder to myself.“
So, the Board of Family Promise said ”yes“ to starting the interview process to hire Webster full-time help.
On Monday, Family promise will begin its search for a new case manager.
”There’s a lot of the work that needs to be done for families in this area,“ Webster said. ”We are looking for someone who’s been working with services and agencies. The reality is that when a family needs help, getting public assistance can be a full-time job.“
He added that it’s a ”real maze“ of services out there and that some people need help finding assistance with childcare, medical assistance, job searches and housing all at once.
”When we spend time with folks they tend to have success,“ he said. ”It is so wonderful that we can do this now.
”Thank you so much.“
Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address. She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers.
Please use this e-mail address for Ask Erica: ask.erica@thebradentontimes.com.
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