Nonprofit adopts new name as service area grows

Family Promise of Beaufort County has changed its name to Family Promise of the Lowcountry, reflecting the nonprofit’s expanding service area and plans to serve additional counties in the region.

The organization announced the name change July 8, saying it better represents the families it already serves throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties while signaling plans to expand into additional Lowcountry counties during the next five years. The nonprofit also launched a new website, fp-lc.org.

Family Promise of the Lowcountry provides services to children and families experiencing homelessness through four programs focused on preventing homelessness, providing temporary shelter and helping families secure and maintain permanent housing.

The organization’s prevention program helps families at risk of homelessness access resources and short-term assistance to remain in their homes. Its diversion program connects families with alternatives to emergency shelter before they become homeless.
Family Promise also operates Freedom House, which it says is the only shelter in Beaufort and Jasper counties that serves families with children younger than 18. The shelter recently was remodeled to include six private bedrooms.

According to the organization, families may stay at Freedom House for up to 90 days while working to increase income and secure employment. Family Promise continues to provide support services for 12 months after families move into permanent housing.

The nonprofit said more than 91% of the families it has assisted remain in permanent housing one year after leaving the program.

Family Promise programs are supported by community donations and volunteers, whose contributions help provide emergency shelter, homelessness prevention services and housing support for families in Beaufort and Jasper counties. The organization said local financial support allows it to respond to families’ immediate needs while helping them work toward long-term housing stability.

“Our families have always come from across the Lowcountry, and our new name reflects both who we serve today and where we’re headed,” Executive Director John Trinh said. “This is a promise to reach every family in our region who needs a hand up, not just now, but for years to come.”

The organization said the final component of its housing model focuses on stabilization by helping families maintain permanent housing and avoid returning to homelessness.

Development Manager Haley Greene said the organization intends to maintain its local focus while expanding its reach.

“Every dollar raised here stays here, working for families in our own backyard,” Greene said. “As we grow into new communities, that local promise doesn’t change. It only reaches further.”

Family Promise said the new name reflects both its current service area and its plans for future growth across the Lowcountry. The organization said it will continue providing services through its existing programs while expanding into additional counties over the next five years.