About VIP

PO Box 1141

Columbus, GA 31902

Phone: 706-494-6348

Mon.-Fri. 8 AM - 5 PM

About VIP

What is Valley Interfaith Promise (VIP)?
Valley Interfaith Promise(VIP) is a shelter program for homeless families. VIP provides shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services.
Valley Interfaith Promise is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) and non-denominational organization and an affiliate of Family Promise®.

Family Promise®, established in 1986, is a national organization of over 140 networks across the United States. These networks utilize over 4500 congregations and 110,000 volunteers each year. Family Promise tries to build programs from existing resources so they can be implemented quickly, and without major start-up costs.

Valley Interfaith Promise began serving families in the Chattahoochee Valley in October 2006. VIP serves up to three families, consisting of up to 14 persons at a time.

How does Valley Interfaith Promise work?

A qualified homeless family will participate in our program from
30 to 45 days. If the family has made great progress toward job and housing stability, their stay may be extended.

The family is offered 24-hour support.

The family will use VIP's services during the day and stay at a host congregation's facility overnight.

VIP will be able to serve up to three families with no more than fourteen (14) people.

Valley Interfaith Promise provides the basic needs of families with the help of five important resources:

1. Host Congregations
2. Volunteers
3. Fund Raising
4. Day Center
5. Transportation

HOST CONGREGATIONS

Host Congregations open their facilities to provide evening hospitality, overnight lodging, and meals, every evening for one week, four to five times a year. Host Congregations have a weekly rotation schedule for hosting.

All the VIP's families are at one Host Congregation for the week. The families are at the Host Congregation facility from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. Families will spend the day at the Day Center. They will be transported to the next Host facility at the end of each week.

VOLUNTEERS

The volunteers are the lifeblood of Valley Interfaith Promise. Volunteers provide a variety of services: cooking and serving meals, playing with children or helping with homework, and staying overnight. Volunteers interact with the guests treating them with respect and responding with compassion.

Since this is done in the familiarity of the Host Congregation facility, it provides is a great and safe, opportunity for volunteers with children to participate.

Volunteer opportunities are also available at the Day Center.

VIP DAY CENTER

Each day the guests are brought to our Day Center. It provides a homelike atmosphere for our guests from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The VIP office is located here. Some of the guests are employed and will go to work. Other guests will pursue their goals in finding jobs and housing. The Day Center has a shower and a laundry facility.

TRANSPORTATION

Valley Interfaith Promise will transport guests from the Host Congregation to the Day Center and back. VIP owns a 15-passenger, minibus. VIP may also provide transportation to employment interviews, housing searches, medical/dental appointments and social service agencies.

FUND RAISING

Since VIP is self-supporting, it is very critical to open and maintain avenues of funding for the program. The VIP budget is estimated at $115,000 to operate this year. Although many dollars are contributed through volunteer efforts, there is the need to employ a full-time Network Director, a part-time Case Manager, a part-time Van Driver, insurances, utilities, furnishings, and a number of other necessary items to make our program a success. VIP will always be seeking donations (both material and monetary), grants, and fundraising opportunities. If you can be supportive in any of these ways, please contact us.

How are families referred to the network?

Homeless families are referred to us through agencies in Columbus, Phenix City, and surrounding counties. The agency will conduct an assessment and, if appropriate, will refer the family to VIP.

Since VIP is run largely by volunteers, VIP will conduct an in-depth interview. This includes a criminal background check and drug screening.

VIP does not admit potential guests with outstanding warrants, substance or alcohol abuse, or acute mental illness.

Why Valley Interfaith Promise?

Because all the Family Promise Network Programs are successful. On average, 80%+ of the families who participate find permanent or transitional housing. Guests without jobs usually find them or enter job training. Some may even enroll in further education.

Volunteers have been emotionally rewarded within our Network as they care for the families in a loving way.

Valley Interfaith Program is reaching out to those in need in Columbus/Phenix City and the surrounding areas. The current local statistics show 120 homeless family members. Many homeless families are hidden. They live with relatives or friends, in cars, in hotels, vacant buildings, etc.

VIP can make a difference and you can too. Won't you please help?