GIRARD - The Family Promise of the Mahoning Valley will be offering a day center at Girard United Methodist Church to help area homeless families.
Brian Bryne, president of Family Promise and pastor at Howland Community Church, started the program in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Indianapolis and realized there was a need for such a program in the Mahoning Valley.
With the motto "Building Communities, Strengthening Lives," the group plans to help local homeless families. The program begins June 21.
Byrne said homeless families will be provided short-term shelter, food, case management and hospitality, while utilizing resources within congregations and the community.
Byrne said each week five to eight families are turned away from shelters in Trumbull County. There are no shelters for homeless families in Trumbull County, he said.
He said Girard United Methodist Church offered the space for 14 beds. A van will transport people to the center.
Patty DiGiacobbe, director of Family Promise, said former Sunday school rooms on the church's top floor have been transformed since work began last May.
Hosting churches will rotate weekly among the 13 congregations. In turn, each host congregation will provide lodging, three meals daily and hospitality.
Guests will use the day center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., where the director will provide case management services. Guests can pursue employment, tend pre-school children, shower and do laundry.
Families will be referred to Family Promise, with guests receiving help in finding housing, jobs and benefits.
Bryne said volunteers are the ''heart of the program'' providing cooking and serving meals, helping children with homework, and interacting with guests. Two volunteers stay overnight with the families.